Thankfulness is a Gift We May Struggle to Claim

Jim July 29, 2024 About Me, Family Issues, Theology

Thankfulness is a gift from God based in his saving grace. When things are going bad we might lose our sense of thankfulness. Lets be mindful of our need for thankfulness.

Romans 1: 20-21 says the first step towards hell is a lack of thankfulness.

²⁰For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

²¹For 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.

Bad news and long term troubles can cause us to lose our thankfulness. We can become unhappy and feel bad due to circumstances. Thus, we may not want to say thanks at all.

I have always taught that thankfulness is a key piece of the Christian life.

This may be understandable from a worldly perspective. Our feelings may start to hold us down though.

Thankfulness Is a Gift I Lost Hold Of

Let me tell you my recent story. The business I own and built is SHI Group China. We recruit trustworthy talent for Western Companies active in China and have since 2009.

When Covid-19 struck and China closed its doors, our business went from great to none and then very very little. We struggled from April 2020 till June of 2023. We prayed and prayed, but May 2023 I had to give up the business I loved and gave my heart to– to be an English teacher, a job I felt I should not take or do well. My thankfulness disappeared. Mr who taught thankfulness, could not be thankful.

Part of the issue is I have been learning to open my feelings more and more. Before I could deny my feelings, and not I do not. So, feelings over whelmed me, and I did not know how to handle. I am knew at this much feeling. But no thankfulness is still wrong and needs my attention.

I Need God, and My Troubles Showed Me Much

As soon as I took the job, business started to come and finally got back to normal in 2024. Teaching English disturbed me. I had trouble saying thanks. i am still not wholly well though business is booming and faith is coming to some students I have touched on account of teaching English. Everything seems well. My kids are doing well in faith and school as well.

My marriage is up and down, but we are committed to each other and gradually learning more and more how to love one another better. So, recently, I have been able to cry and say I am sorry for my hard heart in 2023. I can say thanks. Thus, this blog today. I knew for years that my unthankful heart was not right. God died for me and gave me life and faith and a future. But I had trouble feeling thankful.

I think I should have sought out thankful people. I needed 2 Corinthians 4:17.