Philippians 4:6-7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As we start a new year, we hold hope that this year will be better than the one gone by. However, challenges are inevitable as they are a part of living in a sinful world. These challenges cause us to run to the LORD with our prayers and petitions. And while we do this, let us not forget to also come before Him with “thanksgiving.”

As much as we are told to pray, and we pray many times, we often forget to be people of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an attitude of acknowledging that God, who is good, compassionate, merciful, loving, kind, and faithful, will do what is best for us in the given situation. This attitude of thanksgiving brings peace, and our actions reveal this peace.

Oh, how we need to cultivate a thankful heart to enjoy the peace that is our gift in Christ Jesus in this world of turmoil. We lose much when we ignore the principle of thanksgiving. As Francis Schaeffer quotes, “The beginning of men’s rebellion against God was, and is, the lack of a thankful heart.” I pray that this year, we will be individuals who will be a sanctuary of thanksgiving.