David wrote: I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart (Psalm 138.1). As the children of God we are called to be thankful, to appreciate the Lord of all glory and His gracious gifts to us as His children. Often our thankfulness is conditional, dependent on the situations of our lives. We can be readily thankful when things are going the way we would like them to go, when we are fully satisfied with our life and the results of our daily activities. It is easy to be thankful when there is harmony in our family, our position at work is uncontested, our grades are good in school, and we are not struggling physically. We thank the Lord for His good working in our lives.
However, how do we respond when life takes a turn we do not like, did not expect, and is hard, difficult, sad, or trying? We are told to give thanks with our whole heart. Are we willing to thank the Lord fully and without hesitation, regardless of circumstances. A whole heart is one that is not compromised because of feelings or events; it is not wavering when life is tough; it is not negligent when we are not happy with the situation. A whole heart is one fully dedicated to the Lord; it is not shy, as it is a heart giving thanks before others. David continued, before the gods I sing your praise. Nothing should ever rob God of our praise; not the unwanted, temptations, trials, idols of life. The whole heart is bold and does not hesitate to be thankful, knowing the saving grace of the Lord, knowing the Lord is sovereign and all He does is good in every situation of our lives, knowing His knowledge and understanding of His will far exceeds anything we can begin to comprehend. We choose to be thankful. This is a matter of faith, knowing the Lord, our Savior, has our best interest in view; knowing Jesus, as our Great Shepherd, will not allow us harm from the enemy; knowing our Sovereign Lord never makes mistakes. In all things and at all times, we can ever give thanks to our Lord with our whole heart.
Ever and always – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 