Importance of Giving Thanks

In life, we cannot control what happens to us but we can always choose how to respond to the things that happen to us. I learnt this lesson the hard way for a brief period in my life. I found myself broke with bills to pay and responsibilities that seemed quite overwhelming. I was between a rock and a very hard place (emphasis added).

My father, sensing that I wasn’t doing pretty well encouraged me to count my blessings. At first I was quite hesitant. It seemed quite strange at first (considering the sour mood I was in) but slowly I started counting them. It didn’t take a while before the heavy invincible load on my back started to lighten. That particular day I not only counted them but gave thanks. It was quite a powerful experience.

Jesus in the scriptures assured us in this life we will always have problems but take heart I have overcome. This clearly proves the point that in this very present life, we will all have problems whether we are believers or not. Paul later in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says that ‘Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live’.

Why should we be thankful?

             Being grateful helps you see more blessings

I have come to discover that there are so many things that we take for granted. We take the people in our lives for granted, life, work and even our health. It’s until these things are gone that we realize how much we took for granted.  For example did you notice the blue sky today? Did you notice the beautiful clods today? Did you notice that you child gave you a sloppy kiss today?

I read an article once that said the more we see things around us the more they become invinsible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world.

      Being grateful makes you healthier and wiser

Counting your blessings gives you an emotional healing. Research has proven countless times that those who live a grateful life live longer and happier.
   There are sad consequences of being ungrateful

Ungrateful people tend to complain a lot. Dissatisfaction drives them and often leads them to a road full of misery. This is where we tend to forget God’s provision over our lives and start focusing on what we don’t have. The Israelites complained a lot after they left Egypt to Moses. There complaints made the Lord displeased by their behavior. God certainly does not like complainers.

Here in Afri-Lift we are so thankful for many things. We are grateful for generous donors and sponsors who give willingly. By doing this they make life better for the underprivileged in the Kenyan society.

In this, we give thanks.