Why be thankful?

Why is it important to be thankful? Well, one reason is that we are told to by scripture. In Philippians 4:6 Paul tells us "Philippians 4:6 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

On the other hand, I don't know about you, but because I said so was never a good enough reason for me. So hear are a few other thoughts.

First, being thankful reduces anxiety and depression. How so? Anxiety is always focused on the future while depression is usually focused on our past sense of failure and our future lack of hope. When we give thanks, we are reminded that there are things that have gone well for us in the past. The best predictor of the future is past experience. Therefore, being thankful helps us see the positive that has occurred in the past and gives us hope for the future.

Second, being thankful is the best way to encourage those who have blessed us in the past to continue to do so. Nothing is so demotivating as having done something nice for someone and it go unappreciated. We are much less likely to do it again.

Isn't it wonderful that God is patient with us. He provides so much to us that we take for granted. Pausing to reflect on this is one way that we build our faith. When we reflected on all of his blessings we can be reassured that we he will continue to do so in the future.

I was talking with a friend yesterday who was beginning to worry about losing his job. His major client had shut down their development program and there was less work for him to do going forward. He was beginning to realize that his job could be in jeopardy. Maybe you can relate to this, or perhaps you have already lost your job in this current economy. Maybe finances are really tight and your not sure how you are going to afford the mortgage let alone Christmas.

Remember, Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." God has a plan for you. In the case of Jeremiah, he was about to bring about the fall and destruction of Jerusalem, yet he promised Jeremiah that he had a plan for him.

Jesus tell us that he came that we might have life and have it abundantly. The truth is that we are experiencing the most abundant life materially of any people in history. But, are you pausing to be thankful? Are you experiencing the abundant life?