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Presented by Lisa Bishop
We’re examining the importance of practicing thankfulness. Notice how I said practice! Being thankful is not necessarily something that comes easily to us. We tend to focus on what (or who) we want fixed. We need to proactively cultivate a mindset and habit of expressing gratitude.
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
When we hear these verses, we can typically focus on what not to do, use our words to tear someone down, defame or smear their name with lies or gossip. But how often do we focus as much on what to do with our words? I want to use my words to breathe life into people, don’t you?
We often miss multiple opportunities to express our gratitude at home and in the workplace. We can get wrapped up in busyness, be overly self-focused, or assume someone already knows we are grateful for them and miss the chance to encourage them.
As you think about the people you work with, who is someone you can show genuine gratitude to?
Tell a coworker you are thankful for the way he or she leads projects or a boss that you are thankful for his or her leadership. And how about that person who might rub you the wrong way and get on your nerves just a bit? I bet there is something you can find that you appreciate in them too. Expressing gratitude doesn’t cost you anything and in a dog-eat-dog world, where a lot of people are vying for position and credit, you will stand out in the crowd when you give sincere kudos to others. And how about encouraging fellow believers? One of my favorite verses is:
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
As followers of Jesus, we are to encourage fellow believers in the faith, to comfort and edify each other in times of trials. To cheer each other on. Who is someone at church, in your Bible study, a leader, or a mentor you can intentionally encourage and build up with words of thankfulness?
A few years ago, I was feeling a bit discouraged in my ministry. I wondered if what I was doing was making an impact. In God’s timing, I received a card in the mail the very next day. The front of the card said, “Thank you,” along with beautiful words to encourage me just at the right time. God knew what I needed, and he prompted this sweet woman to be his mouthpiece.
God wants to use you to encourage people in your life. Who is he calling you to say a kind and life-giving word to? Ask him to show you, and then follow through.