Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV) Thankfulness has so many incredible effects on our lives. Besides helping grow our faith and preventing a fear of lack, gratitude also refocuses our attitude, pushing out anxiety to replace it with peace. You see, it’s easy to find problems. If the enemy manages to get us murmuring and complaining, our focus stays on the negative. We become problem-focused and develop an attitude that turns people off. But when we practice gratitude instead, that thankful attitude becomes an attractive force! In fact, developing …

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (AMPC) Being thankful has incredible benefits; one of which is that can override a fear of lack. I read an article the other day that cited the top three reasons for marital discord as money, sex and communication, but ultimately it all filtered down to one main thing: a fear of lack. In fact, a fear of lack was responsible for the first sin. Satan tricked Eve into think she was lacking something, and it’s a trick he continues to use on us today. That’s why the Bible teaches that when we don’t practice thankfulness, we give opportunity to the devil (1 Corinthians 10:10–11). …

When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done…Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God. Daniel 6:10 (MSG) Developing the habit of being thankful has so many benefits, but one of the most surprising is that it actually helps to grow our faith. In fact, we can find a great example of this in Daniel, whose practice of thankfulness preceded a faith-filled response to a death sentence. Deceitful governors undermined Daniel by tricking the king into making a short-term law that forbid praying to anyone except the king, which of course Daniel refused to obey. He continued to pray and give thanks only to God, and …

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. Psalm 92:1-2 (NKJV) Are you thankful on a daily basis? All too often we forget to notice things we are grateful for as we go through our daily lives. Not only that, but we forget the most important step: actually expressing that thanks. Many of the great leaders in the Bible modelled a habit of gratitude. For example, despite chronicling a multitude of struggles and hardships, David’s Psalms showed his focus always returning to praise, rejoicing and giving thanks to God. (See Psalm 92 in particular.) The Apostle Paul is another example. He often …

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NLT) Growing the fruit of the Spirit in your life is a personal choice. It’s easy to blame others for our lack of joy, love or peace. When things don’t go the way we want it can seem impossible to find joy. Maybe your spouse is constantly complaining whenever you talk to them or your adult child is making poor life choices. The truth is, we serve a God who makes the impossible possible! Regardless of the choices other people make, we get to choose our focus. Focusing on other’s shortcomings …