Be Thankfulনমুনা

Thankfulness: Guarding Against Great Sins, Pt. 1

Have you ever considered what’s at stake when you choose not to live with a thankful heart? The consequences can be more severe than we might think: great sins and great waste. When we neglect gratitude, we risk falling into serious spiritual pitfalls. Let’s reflect on what it takes to be thankful, and then consider what we’re left with when gratitude is absent.

Know this: thankful hearts are humble hearts. True thankfulness comes from recognizing grace. It means understanding that everything we have is a gift we never deserved. Our sin made us deserving of God’s judgment, but He responded with mercy, offering us new life through Jesus. Even now, after salvation, if we had to stand before God based on our efforts alone, we would fall short. Every moment we live is a moment of grace, from our first breath in Christ to our journey of growth. We owe everything to God’s mercy—every benefit, every blessing.

Humility is what allows us to acknowledge this reality. It keeps us aware that all we have is a gift from God’s hands. But when humility is missing, pride takes its place. Instead of seeing our blessings as unearned gifts, we start to believe we deserve more or have somehow earned what we have. Pride insists that life should give us better, that we deserve more than what we receive. A lack of gratitude often signals a heart that has forgotten God’s kindness.

Alongside humility, gratitude is also about appreciation—acknowledging the specific ways God has blessed us. It’s not enough to recognize God as the source of our blessings; true gratitude notices the details. It reflects on the kindness of God, seen in countless ways every day. It’s the difference between being handed an unexpected gift and receiving a paycheck. A gift brings awe and appreciation; a paycheck feels like something owed. Too often, we treat God’s blessings as if they are merely our due, rather than recognizing them as the generous gifts they are.

When we forget to appreciate these blessings, presumption sneaks in. This attitude blinds us to the daily mercies we receive. Presumption believes we are entitled to God’s kindness, that we should expect it, assuming it was always meant to be ours. Just as a paycheck might be scrutinized if it’s short, we often scrutinize our blessings, feeling we deserve more. But when we see every good thing as a gift, our hearts open to the gratitude God desires for us.

So, what are you taking for granted? What blessings have you become blind to? Take a moment to see God’s hand in your life—not as something you’ve earned but as the incredible outpouring of His grace. Let humility and appreciation guide you back to a heart of thankfulness.