I experienced a lesson in gratitude recently.  I was so tempted to be negative.  I wanted to justify myself and complain.  But I stopped this trash talk in my head and changed it to an attitude of gratitude.  In the last couple of weeks I failed the same digital painting lesson 2 times.   Not just, “You got some things right and here are some things you should fix.”  Oh, no.  “This is so bad you need to start all over again from scratch”.  So after three tries from scratch at about 4 hours of intense painting each, I finally got, “You must fix these things but you don’t have to start all over” two more times.  And finally, “It isn’t perfect, but I’m tired of trying to help you, so move on.”  Ouch!  During this drawn-out (no pun intended) process I was so tempted to be negative.  I wanted to justify myself and complain that the reviewer was being picky.  But I stopped this trash talk in my head and changed it to, “I’m so glad I can learn how to improve.  I have a reviewer who expects me to measure up to a high standard.  I’m thankful I can take this class so I can offer a better product to my clients.”  This attitude change to gratitude enabled me to keep going and eventually pass.  Recently we had a much appreciated break from high temperatures.  Those cloudy, cool days felt like Fall and started me thinking about sweaters, hot drinks, and Thanksgiving.  Yes, Thanksgiving!  So I looked up verses about giving thanks.

I didn’t realize how many times the Old Testament mentions giving thanks in the context of singing.  Singing thanks was an integral part of worship at the temple.  David wrote many of the Psalms to be sung by temple choirs.  Fortunately for me, listening to those who are gifted in music is just fine.  I’m not obligated to make beautiful music.  The New Testament says we should “make music in our hearts to the Lord”.  Skill is optional.

“On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord:”  1 Chronicles 16:7
“A psalm. A song to be sung on the Sabbath Day.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.”  Psalm 92:1
“I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.”  Psalm 69:30
“And each morning and evening they [the priests at the temple] stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to him.”  1 Chronicles 23:30

Just think; God is pleased with our thanks.  That’s a good reason to do it!
“The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.  2 Chronicles 5:13. (The thick cloud symbolized God’s presence.)
“But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”  Psalm 50:23
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

All day long our thanks should bubble up.  At our regular prayer times and as we live life.
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7
“Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”  Daniel 6:1
“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:20
“… whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:17

“Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.” Philippians 4:6. NLV
I pray for people’s problems and I pray for problem people.  But how do I pray for them and include thanks?  What can I thank God for when I pray throughout the day for my friend with cancer, for instance?  Paul told us how he prayed with thanks.  When he prayed for believers he thanked God that those people had faith and then went on to ask God to help them.  If they aren’t believers yet, we can still thank God for them as we pray for them.  I do give thanks as I notice blessings and I do pray for people’s needs.  But including thanks as I pray for needs is something I’m learning to do.  I have greater peace when I pray with thanksgiving because I’m reminding myself what kind of people I’m praying for and what kind of God I’m praying to.  So a prayer for my friend might go something like this as I’m doing chores.  “Dear Lord, thank you for my friend, C, who loves you and is trusting you.  Please help her get through chemo today.  Thank you that you’re right there with her, that you love her, and that all of this is in your scarred hands.”

“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,  asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight… ”  Ephesians 1:15-17a
“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.  As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”  1 Timothy 2:1
“Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.”  Philippians 4:6 GNT

My friend gives thanks to God by telling us how God heard our prayers and helped her.  This encourages and uplifts her and us.
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”  Psalm 22:22

We can thank God by singing/playing songs of praise and thanks.  Some families sing their thanks before a meal, for instance.  Singing with others multiplies the happiness whether at church or with our families.  For people like me who can’t sing, just listening to worshipful music (or singing at a low volume so as not to disturb others) puts our minds and hearts in an attitude of gratitude.

We can thank God when we receive blessings.  Acknowledging that the good things we have come from our kind God honors him and makes us happier.

We can thank God for who he is.  Even if we lose other things, we can’t lose him.  We can always be grateful for who he is and how he treats us.

We can thank God when we’re praying for others.  Being grateful for others is a good way to start our prayers for them.  And being grateful for the loving, caring, powerful God we have is a comforting way to end our prayers.

We can thank God by telling others what he’s done for us.  So they can thank him, too.