An Attitude of Thanksgiving

Vase used to hold the blood of St Demetrios of Thessaloniki.
Church of St Demetrios, Thessaloniki, Greece


"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude
of thanksgiving " Colossians 4:2

The soul is like a laboratory. And the dynamics of the spiritual life quite
often resemble the process of setting up a scientific experiment. Under
the guidance of a father confessor or elder , we can actually test the
spiritual principles from the Church Fathers, while having the legitimate
expectation that our efforts in putting into practice their knowledge and 
way of life, will result in our transformation. We know, from our ascetical
and monastic literature that when a struggler is obedient to his spiritual
director, he succeeds in his endeavors. So I have decided to go against
my natural inclination and set up an experiment in the area of thanksgiving.

I am afraid I do not always have a thankful attitude. It is very hard to say
thanks when bad things happen to me. I may not always openly respond
in anger but if I look carefully, there is an energy within me during those
times, that reflects discontent. The last thing I want to do is to give thanks.

I found a very interesting passage in the homilies of St Isaac the Syrian.
It reads, "That which leads the gifts of God to a man is a heart that is
continually moved to thanksgiving; that which leads trials to the soul is a
murmuring disposition always active in the heart. God bears with all the
weaknesses of men, but He will not suffer to leave without chastisement
a man who murmurs continually. A soul that is devoid of every illumination
of knowledge will be found in such dispositions. A mouth that always
renders thanks receives a blessing from God, and grace descends into
the heart that perseveres in thanksgiving." Homily 48 p.363,
The Ascetical Homilies of St Isaac the Syrian, Translated from the Greek 
and the Syriac by Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Boston Massachusetts
2011

Regardless of what my deceiving emotions may tell me, I realize that I
must train myself to give thanks to God in everything. God willing I will do
my part and thank God even for the bad things. The experiment consist in
persevering in thanksgiving and patiently wait for God's intervention. God's
answer may not be what I expect. In any case, I will not be disappointed.
At the very least, I hope I will receive the strength to endure with joy the trials
of this life.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23 NASB