This article was written by INCM Executive Director Steve Adams.
Over the years, I have participated in many mission trips. Each one impacted my life differently and yet as I reflect on those trips a particular pattern emerges.
Whether standing in the slums of Mumbai, the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the crowded shantytowns of Manila, or the poor villages on the hillsides of EL Salvador, it’s impossible to be in those environments and not realize in sharp contrast the blessings in my life. I can’t tell you how many times I boarded a plane to return home to America and vowed never to take God’s blessings for granted again and live my life in a constant state of thanksgiving.
There’s just one problem…that didn’t happen.
Initially, I had a keen sense of God’s blessings, but I’d return home, and within days, I’d be complaining because the check-out line at the grocery store was not moving fast enough for me, or I’d have to wait 10 seconds for a video to load on my phone. My thankful heart had become situational and, thus, inconsistent.
If you’re anything like me, this attitude swing creates the perfect conditions for the deceptive enemy of a thankful heart to covertly wreak havoc on our souls.
Let me share two thoughts with you that have been pivotal in my life as it pertains to a thankful heart.
Thankfulness is Deliberate
First, thankfulness is not just a response to good times; it’s a deliberate lifestyle that acknowledges God’s presence and provision in every moment. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Regardless of the situation and how we feel in the moment, we must make a conscious decision to be thankful. This mindset is not a gift, and it’s not something that God supernaturally breathes into our souls. It’s a deliberate decision to remain thankful even when life is challenging.
Shift Our Focus
Second, when we choose to be thankful, we shift our focus from our problems to the blessings that surround us. Focusing on God’s blessings unleashes the power of God’s supernatural peace which sustains us through the fires and tribulations of life. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Emphasis mine.)
The scripture says, “If you do this.” If we take our needs to God and thank Him for all He has done, we will experience God’s life-giving, supernatural peace.
But our adversary, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), will work tirelessly to blind us from this truth and keep us in a perpetual state of anxiety, worry, and depression. How does the enemy do this? He employs what I call the deceptive enemy of a thankful heart. It’s a subtle yet dangerous arrow from his quiver of lies that is rarely seen or heard but fills the skies incessantly and is strategically directed at our minds seemingly without end. I’m talking about comparison.
Comparison is the deceptive enemy of a thankful heart.
In a world fueled by social media and curated images, we are tempted to compare ourselves to others. We see others living what seems like perfect lives, and we can easily fall into the trap of thinking that our lives are lacking. This comparison steals our joy, distracts us from personal growth, and clouds our ability to be thankful for the very things that make our lives special.
The Apostle Paul says this about comparison in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “Oh don’t worry; I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!”
Paul calls comparison foolishness because it can be devastating.
When we measure our lives against others, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain a thankful heart. Whether it’s our career, possessions, relationships, or achievements, comparing ourselves to others often leads to feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and dissatisfaction.
In a world that constantly encourages comparison, whether through social media, advertisements, or even day-to-day interactions, the temptation to measure our worth by someone else’s standard is strong. But the reality is that comparison distorts our perspective. It makes us believe that what we have isn’t enough, when truly, God has provided us with everything we need for our lives. Instead of appreciating the unique blessings God has brought into our lives, we focus on what we don’t have—or think we should have—according to someone else’s standard.
A Simple Practice
My wife, Stephanie, and I have found a simple practice to help us remain focused on God’s blessings in our lives. We pause and intentionally take time to reflect on the different ministry seasons of our life together and simply recount the good things that God brought into our lives: the answered prayers, the miracles, and the blessings. It’s amazing how this simple activity will refocus our attention on the blessings and protection of God and help us maintain a thankful heart.
You can do this too. What blessings has God brought into your life? Recount them. Dwell on them. Thank God for them. Tell others about them. And keep your eyes focused on what He has done in your life.
Closing Thought
Colossians 2:7 tells us, “Let your roots grow down deep into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.”
A thankful heart keeps us strongly connected to the life-giving power and peace of God while protecting us from the deceptive trap of comparison.
