When you think about it, being thankful is a joy. Having a heart of gratitude is enjoyable! There is a great personal benefit from being thankful for someone else or for what someone has done. When we're thankful, we get a second gift. The first gift is whatever it is we're thankful for, and the second gift is the joy of being thankful.
If we see our response to God as an obligation, then we don't enjoy it so much ... and it's not really thanksgiving. Scripture does exhort us to be thankful, but it never has in mind a begrudging obligation. Scripture merely commands us to do what's truly enjoyable! We have been blessed in many ways - the most important, of course, is the free offer of salvation in Christ. Then, Scripture instructs us to enjoy being thankful for the blessings.
What a great 1-2 punch!
May the Lord grant you all the joy of being thankful!
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