John Isaacs Kingsway Community Church November 25, 2007

Developing The Habit of Thankfulness John Isaacs KingsWay Community Church November 25, 2007

Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.

Psalm 30:4 Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

Psalm 97:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 105:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Thankfulness is the attitude and emotion of being aware and appreciative of some benefit.

Thankfulness is not simply an emotion which involves a pleasant feeling that can occur when we receive a favor or benefit from another person, but rather, the combination of a state of being and an emotion. (Wikipedia)

Being thankful will tend to enhance the overall enjoyment of life.

People who tend to experience gratitude more frequently than do others also tend to be happier, more helpful and forgiving, and less depressed than their less grateful counterparts. (Kashdan, Uswatte, & Julian, 2006)

Thankful People 2. Tend to be _____________. 3. Tend to be _____________. 4. Tend to be _____________. 5. Tend to be _____________.

Thankful People • Tend to be Happier • Tend to be _____________. • Tend to be _____________. • Tend to be _____________.

Thankful People • Tend to be Happier • Tend to be More Helpful • Tend to be _____________. • Tend to be _____________.

Thankful People • Tend to be Happier • Tend to be More Helpful • Tend to be More Forgiving • Tend to be _____________.

Thankful People • Tend to be Happier • Tend to be More Helpful • Tend to be More Forgiving • Tend to be Less Depressed

There are two occasions in life when we should be thankful.

1

We should be thankful to God for everything that is pleasant and good.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.

2

We should be thankful to God for everything that is painful and difficult.

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

“Whatever we may have lost, there is always something left.”

You develop a habit by doing something over and over again.

Whatever is frequently and regularly done becomes habitual.

Don’t wait for some great event, but start with what has just happened.

1

Be thankful for whatever has been pleasant and good – today.

2

Be thankful for whatever has been painful and difficult – today.

“When I stop practicing one day, I see the difference; when I stop two days, my friends see the difference; when I stop a week, everybody sees the difference.”

1 Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Develop The Habit of Thankfulness