Give Thanks in All Things, pt I

I Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The Lord blesses His children in many ways. Those are easy to be thankful for. That being said, we don’t always do it. Jesus healed ten lepers at one time. Yet only one returned to give thanks. In Luke 17:17, He said, “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” In that story only ten percent of God’s actions were shown gratitude. That might be a close percentage.
I was pondering a bright area of my life the other day. The thought occurred to me that God did that. I had some gratitude, but it wasn’t 100%. I credited myself for it due to my personal make up. While that may be true, the Lord made me and has been making more christlike these past 35 years. So, I should thank Him fully.
We should inventory our lives for things to be grateful for. If that 10% rule applies, then there is 90% that we aren’t giving thanks for. Most likely we aren’t aware of it. If it’s not a problem, we rarely think of it. Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
The Lord makes our life a banquet in our honor (to the end of His glory). All the dishes and ceremony are all the parts of our lives that He perfects and beautifies. We need to seek those things out and give credit for. Ask Him to open our eyes to all the goodness He’s bestowed on us.
Lord, thank You for all of the blessings You’ve given us. Help us to be aware of them.