A Thank Offering Unto The Lord by Kim Potter

      This is an excerpt from a letter written by Kim Potter to her ministry partners. She included the letter in another letter she had written as an appeal to those of us who gain encouragement, wisdom and understanding through the Elijah List to support them financially.  It is an excellent reminder to give thanks in all things, no matter what the circumstances or how you feel about them.  We are to give thanks in all things because God, who knows everything, says it is the right thing to do.

...one statement continually came to mind; a heart of thanksgiving.

     This statement caused me to reflect on something that had happened to me personally that very week. I had been dealing with a medical issue, I had an infection in my mouth that caused me a great deal of pain. It seemed like each morning as I showered all I could do was pray and ask God to heal me, remove the pain and then receive my healing by faith. I did that for several days. 

     Then one morning, I went about my normal routine and started to pray and ask God to heal this infection, remove the pain and make me whole. However, as I began to pray, I stopped. I literally felt as if the Holy Spirit put His hand over my mouth. I did not pray and ask God for anything. Instead, I began to think of things I could thank Him for. 

     I began to thank Him that I was able to eat again, I thanked Him that Jesus bore my pain at the Cross. The more I gave thanks, the more I could think of to thank Him for. By the time I was dressed and ready for my day, my heart was filled with thanksgiving. My heart in this circumstance had completely changed.

     I went about my morning, it took a while for me to even notice that the pain was gone and I was feeling much better. That day I began to give thanks more and more.

     1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says; "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

     It is not always easy to give thanks, frankly, it wasn't easy that day. I was giving thanks in spite of the pain, in spite of the infection knowing this is the very thing we must do in order to see God's will accomplished in our lives. Thanksgiving will cause us to move into higher realms of faith. Thanksgiving breaks the power of the enemy. I saw it do just that. (Photo via Flickr)

     Whenever you give thanks to God, despite the most difficult circumstances, the enemy loses a big battle in your life. When you give thanks in the midst of difficulty, you bring pleasure to God's heart. He is looking for those who live in a realm of praise and thanksgiving where the enemy no longer has an ability to hold or manipulate that person. Satan is defeated when we have a thankful heart because thankfulness during difficulty is a sacrifice that is well pleasing to God.

     How about you? Are you thankful? Are you thankful for your present circumstances? Thankfulness is a key to your life and life more abundantly. Thanksgiving may very well be the key that turns your situation around. Why? Because it changes you, your perception, and your attitude. It's a heart change. There is power in a thankful heart.