A Heart Overflowing with Thanksgiving

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100: 4-5

“Seek God first and he will enable you to recognize your blessings and foster a heart that is overflowing with thanksgiving.” Samantha Mast

 

  • Take some time to be intentional with God today. Sit and worship, read the Word, and speak to the living God who loves you. The Lord’s love knows no bounds and is unconditional for you today and every day. He knows your heart more than anyone ever could, He holds all the answers: He is the answer!
  • Read Psalm 100: 4-5 and write it down or stop and meditate on it for 5 minutes. This Scripture calls us to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving. Go to God with joy and a heart of gratitude for all you have and who you are. I love this passage because it points us to God. It speaks truth. Not only that, but it is a reminder that we are called to give God the glory always, even when we don’t feel like it. Read Philippians 4:6 and speak it out loud over yourself. This Scripture is an excellent reminder that in whatever we are going through we are not alone. Our God wants good things for us, and He hears our prayers and cries. Give thanks because we serve a good God.

A Heart Overflowing with Thanksgiving!

As I was thinking and praying about this Bible study. I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to write. What message do you have to share about Thanksgiving?” His response to me was simple: “Remind these mothers who I am! Remind them that I am so thankful for who they are and what they do every single day.” That brought hope to my mommy’s heart, and I pray it does the same for yours as well.

When we focus on our Heavenly Father, everything else falls to the wayside. I pray that you would feel refreshed and renewed in the Holy Spirit. As you get filled and refreshed by Jesus, I pray that your heart of thanksgiving and joy would overflow to your children, your spouse, your co-workers, and everyone you encounter today!

A wise Christian woman once told me that, in life, God comes first, family comes second, and everything else after that. My struggle is making time for God, but it’s such an important investment of my time. I always know that my heart will be softened and encouraged after I sit at His feet.

I write about putting God first because I know it is key to a heart of thanksgiving. God has so much to give. John 4:14 says, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” We have to make time for Jesus and receive all that He has to give.

When we put our focus on Jesus, He reminds us of all that we have. Spending time with Jesus and getting to know Him is how we nurture a heart of thanksgiving and joy. He fills us up and give us what we need.

If I were being completely honest, it has been a hard for me lately to have a heart of thanksgiving. This past season of my life has been refining because I have had a difficult time being grateful. I have fallen into the trap of focusing on what our family doesn’t have instead of being grateful for what we do have.

In this season, I have compared my life with the lives of other women way too many times to admit. I have looked at what other mothers and wives or families possess and have wanted it for myself. Focusing only on what we need in this season has simply made me mad and anxious. But recognizing the goodness of this season and speaking God’s promises over myself and my family has allowed me to see and give thanks for all that we do have right now.

That being said, we all have our struggles, but the Lord wants to take our burdens. I know in my heart that the Lord wants us to be joyful and give thanks always despite our circumstances; I do believe that living a life of thanksgiving can become standard and part of every day for you and me.

Please know, sweet mother, that you are not alone. God rejoices over you; He made you perfectly and wants to give you good gifts. Seek Him first, and He will enable you to recognize your blessings and foster a heart that is overflowing with thanksgiving.

Blessings and Love,

Samantha Mast and the Help Club for Moms Team

Questions to Ponder

  • Do you struggle with believing that God has good things in store for you? If so, that may be hindering your heart of thanksgiving. God gives only good gifts to His children. Remind yourself of that by reading the Scripture Matthew 7:11.
  • Do you really know Jesus? And not just know of Him? This may seem like a silly question. But by really, truly getting to know Jesus your life as a Christ-follower will not be near as difficult because He will be walking alongside you. God is with us, wants a relationship with us, and will never leave us. Matthew 11:30: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Faith-Filled Ideas

This week in your alone time speak aloud all that you are thankful for. Give the praise back to God for who He has made you to be and all that you have. If you have time, possibly even as a discussion at a family meal, ask your children and spouse to share what they are thankful for right now. Direct the conversation to the Lord, reminding them that God is the reason for that thankfulness.

 

This devotional comes from our book “The Wise Woman Knows.” You can find it HERE!

Samantha Mast
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