12 Disciplines of a Grateful Heart

Part 10

Try a voluntary fast from something you take for granted

In developing a grateful heart, we’ve learnt quite a few things that we can do to help grow that spirit of thankfulness, but when we come to this one, it may not be so easy.  No one really enjoys fasting. We don’t like to abstain from eating or drinking for a period of time. It’s not very enjoyable.

In the Bible, we see many instances of fasting. Esther, Nehemiah, Moses, David and even the Lord Jesus himself and countless others fasted and prayed for different reasons. I’m not going to go into detail on fasting, but I just want to explain a little about what the author of these 12 disciplines is trying to get at.

I’m not sure that he used the correct word, fast, as fasting has to do with denying yourself food or drink for religious purposes. When we are trying to develop a grateful heart, through fasting, the term is loosely used here as we are talking more about denying yourself of something you take for granted, in order for you to become more grateful. Not just food and drink.

If you fast, from food,  you will find that when you give thanks for your long awaited meal, it will take on a whole new meaning. Your heart will be grateful for that first mouthful. But, also, if you walk to work and around town instead of taking the car, it will make you thankful for your vehicle. If you turn off the air conditioning in your home, you will soon be thankful for that blessing too.

We have so much to thank God for and often we don’t acknowledge it or take any notice of it until it’s taken away. We all know someone who has lost a loved one and regretted that they didn’t spend more time with them or tell them they loved them more often.

We take so many things in life for granted. But God is the giver of gifts and all good things. He is the one that blesses us with the ‘things’ we often take for granted.

James 1:17

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Denying ourselves can lead us to become more grateful. Now, I’m not saying to go on a holiday away from your family, just so you can remember how much you miss them and love them, but just take note of the people and things in your life that you have to give thanks to God for.  And offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving to the only one who truly deserves our praise and worship.

Psalm 116:17

 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalm 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,

 and declare his works with rejoicing.