Unlocking The Power Of Thanksgiving

Unlocking the Power of Thanksgiving

Now, I will be your teacher this morning and today we will be looking into the divine power of thanksgiving. In how thanksgiving is not just a byword and utterance of appreciation but also a KEY that can change our PRAYER LIFE and draw us closer to GOD! Are you ready? Say I’m ready! Open your bibles or your bible apps as we read our key verse this morning found in

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Let us pray…..

People nowadays find themselves in 2 states of being.

1st state: a state of worry, troubled, concerned, disturbed, irritated, dismayed, demoralized. Nababagabag, Nababahala, Balisa. A state of insecurity, feeling incapable, incapacitated or often times short fused, angry and in despair.

2nd State: AND THEN: we have those who are in the opposite state: A state of peace, Hopeful, grateful, happy, joyful, radiant,

I’m not making this up. Scientists and Psychologist call these state of mental wellbeing - and we know for certain that it's a spiritual wellbeing as well. Some call this the DUAL CONTINUUM MODEL - 2 STATES:

ONE - ILL BEING

Stressed, Distressed, Troubled, Worried, Disturbed, Demoralized, Insecure.

Worried about your health, troubled about the future of your children, Disappointed with yourself or Frustrated with your husband or wife. Angry at your siblings, Feeling betrayed at the workplace.

And oftentimes our natural reaction is complaint or grumble, Hayyy. Eto nanaman tayo. BITTERNESS. Initial reaction is often lament, complaint, or deep sorrow.

So let me ask you—what is your first reaction when life goes sideways?

Emotional exhaustion, Mental Fatigue. Sleepless nights, You grieve. You question. You isolate. Is this fair? I don’t deserve this? Why is this happening to me. Ginawa ko na lahat ng tama, pero ito parin…

We feel it deep in our soul: sorrow, discouragement, even bitterness. We rehearse the pain, replay the injustice, and retreat inward. We become emotionally locked in a prison of ill-being.

So thats the state of ILL-BEING and then we have the state of:

WELL-BEING

People who SEEMS to have it all under control. Everything planned comes to fruition. There is a state of Joy, Gratefulness, Hopeful, Peaceful, Energetic, Secure and finally FULFILLED. Begs the question: Why? How? What's the difference? What am I missing? Why not me? And more importantly, the key question is this - How can I crossover from a state of ILL-BEING to a state of WELL-BEING?

Listen to this - the key here dear brothers and sisters - is IN HOW WE RESPOND to our situation. Our RESPONSE is critical. Our response is a reflection of our spiritual maturity.

So - lets look through our key verse for an answer and in particular - verse 18:

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NIV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Say GIVE THANKS! Now the the first part of this verse is absolutely critical:

Give Thanks IN ALL circumstances. Lets break it down:

You see, being Thankful - is a direct command - a direct instruction from scripture. We are being COMPELLED to Give Thanks rather than in the WANTING to give thanks.

Let me explain. I remember when I was young, not to many years ago, okay, many many years ago, when I was a child. I remember my MOM would teach me to say thank you - even if I didn’t feel like thanking a person. Whether because I was given food in my plate or whether I was helped by an adult, whether someone was helping me go up the stairs. I was told to be Thankful. Its an instruction, a command. Teaching the children go say THANK YOU. Regardless of their emotional state - be thankful. My last born - Aasha, just yesterday, I was reminding her to do this. To give Thanks in the dinner table, she was asking for water and her brother gave her some - and automatically, I asked her say thank you, coz she forgot again. And hesitantly - She said THANK YOU Kuya…She didnt feel like giving thanks BUT I instructed her to give thanks - you understand?

Lets move on - next - IN ALL - underline the adverbial phrase IN ALL. Great. The verse said - IN ALL your circumstances. Not in some circumstances. Not only when your happy, elated, NOT only when you are promoted or receive a gift or favor. It says IN ALL. Does it mean I should be thankful when I’m going through PAIN, SORROW, TROUBLE, PERSECUTION, when I'm in the hospital. OR should I be thankful as I hold the hands of my ailing mother. Or if I get laid-off from work Or have no JOB?