The Source of True Thanksgiving

Words of thanksgiving are not enough.

These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  Matthew 15:8

The heart is a reservoir of either good or bad.

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Prov. 4:23

Your words are the overflow of your heart.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

What you focus on will either fill your heart with gratefulness or dissatisfaction.

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Gratefulness: a heartfelt feeling of appreciation for what you have received. It produces a feeling of well-being.

Gratefulness is the joy of your heart.

The opposite of a feeling of gratefulness is a feeling of displeasure.

Complaint is the displeasure of your heart.

God Detests Complaint.

Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused… Numbers 11:1

Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world… Phil. 2:14-15

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

The enemy of contentment is expectation and comparison.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content… Philippians 4:11

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

Our heart is a scale balancing:

What I received – against – what I expected to receive
What I have – against – what I perceive others have

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:6-9

Thanksgiving is the overflow of a heart full of gratitude.

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4