Thankfulness and Perspective

Wherever we find ourselves in life - whether internally in our emotions and mindset, or externally in the circumstances around us - thankfulness has a way of changing our perspective. The choice of focusing on something we can be thankful for can change an atmosphere of sadness or madness into gladness. Thankfulness can present alternatives that we could not see before. It can clear our mind and heart of anxiety so that we can be enlightened with wisdom, knowledge, and resilience. 

The Bible tells us that when “your eye is healthy your whole being will be full of light.” Another way to say this is, “if your vision is clear, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22) When we are thankful, our inner eye and our physical eye are opened and light can penetrate our being. This causes us to see things differently and to feel things differently.  Even if nothing has changed in our physical atmosphere, thankfulness gives us the ability to be full of joy…and that joy becomes our strength. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

The scriptures also explain that thankfulness is the way to enter into the gates of the Lord’s house which leads us to His presence.  When we find something to be thankful for we can see His marvelous gates open into the sanctuary of praise. In this place, sadness and sorrow will flee away, and joy and gladness will overtake us. (Isaiah 51:11) The sanctuary of the Lord is the place where thankfulness pours out profusely as we singularly focus on the Almighty One to whom all thanksgiving is due. 

By Pastor Karen Bonasso

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