Are we really, truly, honestly…thankful? What does that word even mean in today’s world? What has it come to mean?

I don’t know about you, but in this busy business called life, it’s easy for me to lose sight of being thankful. We rush from work, to school to errands to family commitments and then finally, to home so we can hit the hay—only to wake up the next morning to do it all over again. How can we be thankful when we’re juggling so much? When we have no allotment for “me time” and can’t stop long enough to catch a breath?

Well, those are good questions. But, the answer is quite simple. We can be thankful and we should be thankful. Thankfulness often loses its luster in a world where it’s not “cool” to stop and smell the roses. This world defines success as always being busy, always going, going, going—yet appearing as though we have it all together. This mentality creates outwardly successful people but inward emptiness.

If you’re defining your idea of thankfulness by the world’s standards, you’re not going to be happy. *Boom* easy as that. However, if you choose to define your life and your idea of thankfulness by GOD’S standards, everything becomes unhazy.

When we take the focus off ourselves, our perspective changes. Our priorities change. Our very purpose for waking up in the morning changes. How to do this? Let’s consult His Word to see:

1. Always be thankful—no matter what—because we have the most amazing gift in the universe, faith in Jesus Christ. On top of that, being thankful is part of God’s plan for us!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

2. Consider your gloriously saving salvation—how could one not “overflow with thankfulness?”

Colossians 2:6-7

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

3. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

Colossians 3:15

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

4. Proclaim His goodness.

Psalms 100:4

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

5. Stand confidently in the Lord and be thankful for His mercy and grace.

Hebrews 12:28-29

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.””

6. Praise Him in all we do and say. There is no higher honor than to live for Christ. <3

Psalms 63: 3-4

“My lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”