Thankfulness, Gratitude, A new joy, shared with the giver of something undeserved.
How easily the word passes through the semi-conscious mind with little notice.
How habitually taken for granted as a concept, no matter how thinly practiced.
That is remarkable, really.
How often am I like Eve in the garden - unable to take my gaze away from that one tree, in order to turn and celebrate a whole garden of delights?
See how I take routine, constant pleasant things – good things – for granted
to the point of complete entrenched unawareness.
While all the while, the occasional pebble in the foot
• or the intrusive driver
• or the muggy day
• or the rainy day
• or the temporary soreness in the elbow
• or the critical look from a stranger
• or the “failure” of (whatever we think of as) God to “answer” a “prayer”
Essential invitations to deeper kinds of life, or competence, or even joy,
these occasional thorns and distresses can grow within me, like grains of sand into vast treacherous deserts.
Then...
Along comes the apostle Paul (for example) in the New Testament and his seeming obsession to constantly remind those who will listen - regarding thankfulness, both intentional and spontaneous:
One of the great failings of corrupted humanity in general is their neglect of thankfulness, Rom_1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Producing thankfulness in those he served was a primary goal of his efforts. 2Co_1:11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2Co_4:15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
His own secret inner life was subject to sudden eruptions of thankfulness. 2Co_9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Genuine thankfulness is a component of effective prayer Eph_1:16 I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; Phm_1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 1Th_1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers.
The great contrast and warfare between two spiritual climates in routine human experience Eph_5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Col_3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Thankfulness gently dominates the human life that God intends. Eph_5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Col_3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 1Th_5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 2Th_1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren,
True Christian (and human) growth cannot but involve gratitude Col_2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 1Ti_4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;
Thankfulness is a major bridge between faith and transformation. Heb_12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe
There is a strong sense in which those outside of Christ Jesus really cannot be expected to have the most profound forms of intended human thankfulness. Heb_13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
A concluding thought:
The fact is that a persistent sense of “righteous” entitlement pervades conventional human nature in its current form. It is so persistent – our nature is so infested with it – that we cannot notice it with much objectivity or accuracy. Without God's merciful assistance, it would be like a person in lifelong darkness trying to perceive who or what is there with herm in the room.
Take note how your surrounding culture seems hell-bent (literally) on making sure only the negatives - or mere trivial positives - are emphasized, even though they are far outweighed by reasons to feel grateful.
Tags: humans
Fragments 
Further discussion is welcome...