Having a Thankful Heart

This is the time of the year that we try to be intentionally thankful. It's when we make thankful lists and do cute thankful crafts with our kiddos. I admit, I fall into that category and there's nothing wrong with that. I love a visual reminder of something. The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about being thankful and having a heart that is grateful through an online study I have been doing. Some of the verses we have studied during it really opened my eyes to how much I have to be thankful about. I wanted to share some of the verses and some thoughts on each one.

Thank Him For His Compassion

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psalm 145:8-- This verse is so powerful. God was so gracious towards us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we could be reunited with Him. That is love. Instead of letting His wrath kindle and then pouring it out on us, He pours out compassion on us. He sees us through the eyes of a loving Father. I have much to learn from Him. He is full of compassion for us and wants to love us beyond what we can comprehend. Being thankful should be a state of mind and a way of life. A grateful heart can carry us through the good and bad days.

Thank Him For His Mercy

 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23-- I love this verse. Because of God's mercy we aren't consumed by His wrath. Even though I break His laws daily, He shows me mercy. He holds back what I do deserve. He gives me instead what I definitely do not deserve, which is His mercy. Wow. If that doesn't humble you, I'm not sure what will. We should be ever so grateful that God has set aside His wrath towards us. Sweet friend, He lavishes us with His mercy and compassion every single day. We don't even have to ask for it, it's there.

Thank Him For His Salvation

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8-- This verse really hit me hard. Oh what a God we serve. He gave us a way of escape through Jesus Christ even while we were yet sinners. He extended salvation through Jesus to us so that we may not perish. How awesome. I want to shout it from the rooftops how awesome our God is! Though we fail and disobey Him, God still pursues us and makes a way of escape from our self-destruction. If He never does anything else for me, I still can't thank Him enough for what He has done.  


Our God is so good to us. He loves us more than we can imagine or deserve. I encourage you to try to have a grateful heart all year around. I know I need too and I know it is best for me. It's not easy, but if we try to find things each day to thank God for it can really help. We can be example to our children and families by being thankful each day. God deserves our gratefulness most of all. 

Be sure to check back on my blog for a printable with these reminders!



Lord, thank You for who You are. You encompass everything that is true and pure. Thank You for your compassion, mercy, and salvation. You extend so much to me every day. Help me to have a heart that thanks You and praises You for all that You are, not just for what You do. May I live in a state of gratefulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.