More Thankful

Decide To Be More Thankful – With Thanksgiving, Let Your Requests Be Made Known To God

Many years ago I heard a story about two young men riding a motor cycle up a hill when the motor suddenly died. At that very moment a truck crested the hill headed straight for them. It was clear the truck would not be able to stop, and they had no time to get out of its path. One of the boys screamed at the other, “Pray, John, Pray!” But John shouted back, “I don’t know how to pray!” “Just say what your dad always says when he prays,” his friend cried. And so John prayed, “Lord, help us to be more thankful for what we are about to receive!”

Obviously, the incident didn’t really happen, but it still serves to illustrate one of the sad realities of life. Some people only turn to God in times of desperation! Sadly, then it is often too late.

If we want to be able to look up in times of difficulty, we need to be looking up when things are going well. The apostle Paul admonished the Christians in the city of Thessalonica to “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

If we talk to God when life is good, those lines of communication will be open when life comes crashing in around us. Problems come in every life, but the blessings far outweigh the burdens. We should count our blessings, be more thankful, and give thanks! God has been good to us. We live in comfortable homes, wear nice clothing, and have more to eat than we need. But even more importantly, He has met our every spiritual need through Jesus. It is no wonder, then, that Paul exclaimed, “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Take time today to count your blessings. Being more thankful will give you a new appreciation for life, and a new outlook on the future. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).