Thankfulness is an uplifting attitude.  It makes us feel good and infects those around us, too.  We appreciate it when we see it in a child who stops to look up, smile, and say, "thank you”, instead of just running off to play with his new toy.  We appreciate it when someone takes the time to show us gratitude.  "Wow, they noticed!"  And, we appreciate the surprised smile on the faces of those to whom we express our thanks. Studies made the world over have taken notice of the psychological and physical benefits of a thankful heart.

But alas, as appealing as this character trait is, thankfulness to God that exists at the core of our being, the kind that is constant and can't be rattled by circumstances because it is founded on the bedrock of who God is, is all too hard to find, in ourselves and in others.

  This shouldn't really be surprising.  Thankfulness goes against our nature, and let's face it, there is just so much in the world that wars against gratitude and a thankful heart.  Outside, there is war, poverty, disease, hunger, etc.  And closer to home, we all have experienced the loss of a job (or a job you can't seem to lose, no matter how hard you try), sickness, relationship problems, and financial struggles, to name just a few.  All of these are painfully real in our world and have a strong tendency to make us cynical.  How many times have you heard someone say, "I'm not cynical, I'm a realist!"  The problem arises, however, when we realize that God, who knows the reality of the world we live in, inspired Paul to instruct us to, “give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)

If our heart's desire is to be obedient to the Word of God, and we don't decide to throw in the towel before the bout even begins, we're going to need help to develop hearts that are thankful at all times. That help is going to come in the form of grace-based discipline.  Grace, because God's unmerited favor and transforming work in our hearts is the basis of all that we are and do.  Discipline, because without a focused effort on our part to see that thankfulness is nurtured and developed, it simply won't happen. This sounds like a great challenge for us all as 2011 presses on!  I'm on board.  How about you? -- S. Baughn