Great music. This is a cd you can play all the way through from beginning to end.

How to Utilize "Thank Therapy" in Your Everyday Life Author: Jim Burns, Ph.D.


Before beginning this tip sheet, let me offer you this word of thanks.


You know, I truly appreciate the fact that you’re reading this page right now . . . because the fact that you are indicates that you visited our website and followed the proper prompts to get here.

Of course, you may have gotten our web address from a number of different places. But, regardless of how you found us, I know that it still took a certain amount of time and effort to get to where you are right now.


So, before going any further, I want to say, “Thank you.”


Now, I ask you, how hard was that?

What was so difficult about engaging in a little “Thank Therapy” with me here?

It took all of, what, a minute to do? And yet, I’ll bet it made us both feel better, didn’t it!

Tragically, however, we live in a culture where the art of thankfulness is a dying breed. (It’s following common courtesy, common decency and common sense on the fast track out of our society.)

Over and over again, Scripture tells us to be thankful people. It’s impossible to read the Psalms and not be affected by the theme of “thankfulness” running through the pages of this great hymnal.

Now, the good majority of these psalms were written during seasons of great duress . . . which is why it’s worth noting that “Thankfulness is an attitude.” You don’t have to feel grateful to be thankful.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Apostle Paul tells us what God’s will is for our lives. He says we should be thankful in all situations.

Now – notice that the verse here does not say to be thankful for all situations. How ridiculous to be thankful for a negative problem! But, when we are challenged to be thankful in all circumstances, it is much easier to see that even in difficult times there are reasons to be thankful.

We all have good habits and bad habits. Often we focus on the bad ones and ignore the good. But, as Christians, we are called to work on developing the good habits. (That’s right – I said that thankfulness is a good habit we all need to work on. It doesn’t just “happen!”)

One of the best ways I know to start developing this “good habit” is to utilize Thank Therapy. It puts into practice Paul’s command to “be thankful in all situations.”

Thank Therapy involves taking a sheet of paper and then writing on it 20 reasons why you are thankful.

Now, at first glance, coming up with 20 reasons might sound like a lot of work. But, as you begin writing, you’ll find that you can list them fairly easily. (Don’t stop at 20 – keep going till you hit 25, 30 or more if you’d like!)

As you engage in Thank Therapy on a regular basis, you’ll become more aware the source of your thanksgiving – your love for Jesus Christ.

Remembering what He has already done for you, great things will begin to develop in your spirit.

So, are you ready to take just another moment or so and practice doing a little Thank Therapy?

List 20 Things You Are Thankful For (eg Jesus Christ, your family, your church, eyeglasses, good health, etc.)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Now, call a friend or loved one and share this list with them. (Fax it or email it to them if it’s easier.) Then, make it a habit to make Thank Therapy a part of each and every day!

(Excerpted from The Word on Prayer and the Devotional Life by Jim Burns, Ph.D.)

� Copyright HomeWord 2002.

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