Growing up I was always taught that saying thank you is the required phrase to reciprocate a good deed. As Christians I was also taught growing up, that I was instructed, and almost obliged to say, thank you to God as a result. Recently however I had a revelation about the power of giving thanks.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 18 (ESV)
Through a busy season at work I have had to do long hours and found myself in a place of utter desperation for God's favour through a tough situation.
A week out from a campaign launch, I found that I was being prompted to give thanks.
But why Jesus - I haven't even seen breakthrough yet?
Despite knowing what I should do, I found that I had to fight the feeling of taking God for granted and give thanks whether I felt like it or not.
"For although they knew God they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened" Romans 1 verse 21 (NIV)
It was through this process that I realised that it is almost impossible to give thanks without causing myself to smile, lift my focus off my situation like a magnifying glass and fix my perspective on God's view (instead of my own).
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118 verse 1 (NIV)
The raw simplicity of the response taught me the most profound thing – saying thank you isn't just about what credit I can give to back to God, but all about the automatic response of my heart for giving me life and opening my eyes.
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who is forever thankful.
Meenal Chandra previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html