According to a lot of scientific research, thankfulness is a powerful thing. It has been shown to improve everything from physical health to personal relationships. (Do a quick online search for “benefits of gratitude” to see for yourself.)

I have one question for you: Are you as thankful as you could be?

The biggest thing that can keep you from being full of thanks is discontentment. Even if your life is filled with blessings, discontentment will empty your bucket of thankfulness. 

When you are discontent with what you have, it means you are forfeiting the benefits of thankfulness. More than that, it means you are denying God of the thanks that is due him.

Do you want to stop the leak so you can be filled with thanks? The apostle Paul shared the secret to get you there: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12,13).

It requires strength to be content with little. It also requires strength to remain content when you have a lot. But the strength doesn’t have to come from you. It comes from Jesus, who emptied himself completely to fill you with eternal blessings.