A Thankful Heart Is a Sign of Maturity

Nov 24

Nov 24 A Thankful Heart Is a Sign of Maturity

Celebrations/Holidays, Thankfulness, Truth, Personal Faith

Rising above the flock

It’s interesting to me how one truth will get emphasized over another. One truth gets overshadowed by another.

The western mind focuses on specifics and loses sight of the larger scope of a topic. One part becomes more important than its whole. Or, as the saying goes, we can’t see the forest for the trees.

This seems to be a constant within western culture. One thing or one person is pitted against others, as if they were unrelated to a greater whole. We describe this inclination as polarization in our American culture.

But this inclination isn’t a new cultural phenomenon. It’s endemic of all human nature.

We’re creatures of habit who’ve inherited this trait from previous generations and perpetuated it century after century across cultures.

As another saying goes—

It’s hard to soar with eagles when you’re surrounded by turkeys.

How can we rise above the general rabble of those trapped by restrictive thoughts and opinions?

It requires a simple level of maturity.

An important key to maturity is an attitude and commitment to thankfulness.

I got to thinking about this while considering what to share about Thanksgiving this year. I wanted to share something fresh, relevant, but not trite.

How do we break out of the restrictive thinking of others around us?

How can we escape the pull of polarizing opinions and thoughts?

In a word—thankfulness.

Thankfulness

Thankfulness is a genuine antidote for the antagonistic talk we’re bombarded with by the news media and in social media.

I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. (Psalms 35:18 NIV)

Thankfulness changes our perspective in whatever circumstances we may face. Choosing to be thankful reminds us the Lord is greater than our circumstances.