Habits of a Thankful HeartSýnishorn

The Habits of Highly Thankful People

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has sold over 15 million copies. The book promises that if readers adopt these habits they will experience “powerful . . . personal change.”

It’s nearly Thanksgiving in the United States. For some of us, the holidays are a favorite time of year. But for those who are experiencing financial problems, or are grieving, or find themselves exhausted by work or family situations, thanksgiving is difficult. We know we are supposed to be grateful. But when times are hard, how can we be? 

We often think that giving thanks is something we do in response to our circumstances. Yet Paul makes clear that Christians are thankful not only because of their circumstances but even despite them. Paul writes from Rome, where he awaits trial, to the church in Philippi—a church experiencing persecution and financial hardship. But he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

How does Paul expect us to be thankful? Through sheer will—forcing ourselves to be grateful when we aren’t? Or by self-delusion, telling ourselves that things aren’t really that bad, even when they are? No; as Paul demonstrates throughout Philippians, the source of our thankfulness is the hope of the gospel.

Studying Philippians can help us cultivate the habits of thankful people. As we do that, let’s work toward the powerful personal change that comes from a life transformed by God’s love.