A Thankful Spirit

"Please" changes our asking from a demand into a request. This is perhaps more obvious in the French s’il vous plaît - literally, "if it pleases you." We may send out an invitation to a party or a wedding. We think of it almost as a royal command, but our polite RSVP at the bottom invites people’s response "if it pleases you."

"Thanks" acknowledges the help of people who weren’t obliged to help us. They have responded to our need. It has "pleased" them to help us, and a relationship is built up.

"Please" and "thanks" ought always to be far more than correct etiquette. They are intended to be a positive building of relationships and a strengthening of society.

But they are far more even than that. A truly thankful spirit is health-giving. We are drawn outside of and beyond ourselves. A self-centred critical spirit injects poisin into our system - it’s plain unhealthy.

Paul wrote that we should "be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5.16-18).

This is far more than magic words or good manners. It is a whole attitude and way of life.

The Psalmist had been in deep trouble. It isn’t clear what kind of trouble, but "the cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow" (Ps. 116.3). He cried out for mercy (v. 1) and called on the Lord to save him (v. 4).

Now he has recognised that the Lord has drawn him into a life-long relationship. "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice... I will call on him as long as I live... How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord" (vv. 1,2,12-13).

And in verses 16-17 - "O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord."

Some people only ever see darkness and gloom. Let’s cultivate a thankful spirit ourselves and encourage it in others. No matter what circumstances may come our way, let’s live positively under the love and grace of God.

Prayer: Father God, you reach out to us in love and grace even when our lives have centred so much upon ourselves. Forgive us, we pray. Grant us a thankful spirit that recognises and appreciates the good with which you surround us, even when the circumstances are not of our choosing. Enable us to encourage a positive and thankful spirit in others who seem always swamped by their personal gloom. Thank you for your constant love and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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