I want to start this by doing a self check-in. How are you doing?

Remember to be kind to yourself.

This message will focus on thankfulness and the positive impact it has on our lives.

The importance of having good posture.

I believe that thankfulness is a posture we can and should choose.

Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Sometimes we say words and do things without feeling it - without it sinking into our heart and being. How do we let thankfulness become a part of who we are?

We rejoice; we remember that the Lord is near; we pray; we try to be thankful.

Thankfulness is a feeling/attitude. When we pray, are we merely saying words or is our heart, our attitude, our feeling one of thankfulness?

Consider verse 6 from the NLT - “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

When we choose to embrace thankfulness and to feel this, everything in our life shifts. As we praise God and be thankful, the peace of God stands guard over us.

Practical ways to embrace and create a Posture of Thankfulness

1. Make a list of the things you are thankful for.

1. Spend time in the Word.

1. Jar of Thankfulness.

1. Incorporate thankfulness into your prayer life.
2. Tell others why you are thankful for them.

Benefits of Thankfulness

There are many benefits of a posture of thankfulness that help us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What are you thankful for?
2. How is your spiritual posture at the moment?
2. Which of the practical tips are you going to try?
3. Of the benefits Jimmy mentioned, which would help you the most?
4. What speaks to you from Philippians 4:4-7?
5. How do you think you can feel thankful? As in, how do you make it become a default that you filter things through?
6. What do you consider to be the physical outworking of a posture of thankfulness?