Thank you. I appreciate you. I'm so grateful. These words are typically used to show gratitude but sometimes those words just don't feel like enough, especially when showing gratitude to God. We have to make an effort to show God how thankful we are.
Ways to Express Gratitude
1 Chronicles 16:7-36 describes 4 ways to express true thanksgiving to God. These ways are more than saying a few words but ways that incorporate showing your gratitude through how you live your life.
Remembering what God has done
With everything going on around us in today's world, it's easy to take even the little things for granted. We need to start making a habit of reminding ourselves of all God has done for us, especially when we didn't deserve it. The simple task of being alive and able to read this is an ability that God has graced us with. In everything that you do or experience, try to become more mindful of God's blessings all around you and create a habit of thanking him for it all.
Telling others about God's goodness
With remembering what God has done for you, don't keep it a secret! God has been too good for us to hold it in. The next time someone asks "How are you doing?", really think about it before replying "good" or "fine." Try dwelling on "How has God been good to me today, this week, this year?" As you give this thoughtful answer, you might then notice how the other person will start to think how God has also been good to them in this season of their life. By telling others about God's goodness, we further spread the mindset how thankful and mindful we should be of our many blessings.
Showing God's glory to others
It's one thing to tell of God's goodness, but it's another to show His glory. Words can do little if your actions represent otherwise. As Christians, we need to exhibit God's goodness as an example to the unbelievers around us. Just has God grants us patience, grace, forgiveness, and blessings, we can strive to pass that on to the community around us. What good is it to remember all God has done for you to then treat others with hate and selfishness. Honor God for all He continually does for you with your acts to really show His glory. Let His light shine through you!
Offering gifts of self, time and resources
Your self can be used to show God how grateful you are. By remaining healthy, maintaining spiritual, mental and physical purity, exercising, you are responsibly taking care of the temple that God has given you. Thanksgiving can also be expressed by exclusively spending time with God. This can be done in dedicating time for prayer, worship, journaling, or reading and meditating on His word. Appointing this time without distractions, let's God know how important He is to you. The more time you spend with God, the better you’ll be able to recognize His voice and see how He's moving in your life and those around you. Offering your resources, whether your talents, monetary or physical donations, honors God by giving back to others (His people) in the community and building up the church (His house). Share your blessings!
Reflection
We will be eternally thankful to God for all He's done in our lives and of course, the sacrifice only Christ could've done. We can choose to express our gratitude with our mouths and how we live our lives.
In which ways will you try to incorporate into your life to express your gratitude to God? Comment below!
Here we're not just made in His image, we live in it!