How many things did you get today that you wanted? How many things didn't you get today that you didn't want? For example, the vast majority of us have a roof over our heads. And most of us have a job. Many of us have a mate, and a good one at that. Most of us have two arms, two legs, and all our fingers and toes, and they all work.

Did you give God thanks today for all that?

Or are you like most people, and just take all those nice things for granted? Most people never give a lot of thought about thanking God for things that we seem to think we should automatically have.

Did you thank God today for the things you don't have that you don't want? Maybe you know someone who has arthritis so bad that they cannot move without great pain, or cannot move freely at all.

Maybe you know someone with no legs or they have some other parts missing, while you are free to walk, run, and jump. Maybe you know a blind or deaf person. And yet you can behold the beauty of nature and hear the birds sing.

How would you feel if it were you instead? Have you given thanks to God for the things you don't have that you don't want? And though I myself have my own problems to deal with, I realize there is always someone who has more problems than I do.

And it makes me so thankful to God for all my blessings. My problems look so insignificant in light of what some people have to deal with every day, that to not give thanks to God makes me feel downright, well, ungrateful!

And so many times I have to remind myself, when I'm in the midst of trials, how truly blessed I am.

Imagine that! Can it be possible to forget how many good things God is doing for us, just because we are having problems?

Yes! How do I know that? Because I myself have been guilty of it, especially when I get a good pity party going. Of course, I'm usually the only one in attendance, because others are attending their own pity parties.

Do you know the quickest way to get through hard times and back into the good times? GIVE THANKS!

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God concerning you." Which brings me to another point, which is the next verse, "Quench not the Spirit."

How do you do that? By not giving God thanks.

I can't think of anything that probably grieves the heart of God more than someone who is ungrateful for all He does for them. Right now, you may be saying, Hey, I don't have a job, am I supposed to thank God for that?

No, you don't thank God for the problem. You don't thank God for all the junk the devil puts on you. You thank God for the answer to the problem. You thank God for all the things He has blessed you with, and for the things you don't want that He hasn't allowed to come upon you.

I recently saw a road sign that said, "If you're going through hell, keep going." In other words, don't set up camp there and have your mailing address changed to begin pointing there.

But if you are one of those people who never seem get around to giving God thanks for all His blessings coming your way, you may stay in your problems a lot longer than you'd really like to. Giving thanks is a very powerful thing in the Spirit realm. It can surely bring God on the scene with heavenly help.

Tell me, if you are a parent and you have one child who always thanks you for the nice things you do for him or her, and if you also have another child who you feel is a spoiled brat who is never satisfied no matter how much you do for them, who will you enjoy helping the most if they have a problem?

I rest my case. Although God sends His rain on the just and the unjust alike, I'll bet He smiles when He hears "Thank You, God!"

So if you are running a little behind in the "Thank You, God" department - especially during a time such as this in our country's history - why not join me right now in this simple prayer?

Father God, I come to You in the name of Jesus and I offer You thanksgiving for all You are doing for me. I ask You to forgive me for not giving You the thanks and praise You deserve. Forgive me for not taking the time to notice all the blessings You give me, and for taking so much for granted.

Help me to look beyond my problems and be thankful to You in all things. Lord, You are so good to me! I love you, Lord. Thank you! Thank you! Amen

And another thing; if you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior right now, why not ask Him into your heart and thank Him for the blood He shed for the forgiveness of your sins? You'll surely have something to be thankful for then!

Copyright © Life Healing Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.