Saying "Thank You" Will Save You

I get a fair amount of email from Bible teachers who feel unappreciated. One earnest lady wrote me that she felt bitter. "And after all that work, do I even get a thank you? Not one."

Ingratitude kills. Bitterness kills. This is not the Jesus way, folks.

Certainly, it's nice when people say thank you. But if they don't, what should be your response? Not to whine about it!

Instead, I recommend you focus on your own gratitude.

Give thanks to God. He is our Lord, who has gifted you and enabled you to serve as a teacher. He's given you the calling to teach.

Give thanks to your leadership. They have approved your role as a teacher. They have provided you with opportunity and materials.

If you have teaching partners or people who have helped you, give thanks to them. These people mentor and sharpen our preparation and presentation.

Express your thanks to your students. After all, if you are working hard at your teaching preparation, then you've learned more than anyone else in the room! Their questions have sharpened you and helped you develop. They've given you their attention. They've shown up.

When you give thanks up, sideways, and down to everyone, you'll find your heart is clean and joyful. You'll have more strength to serve others. You'll accept criticism and suggestions in a healthy way. Plus, you'll be modeling gratitude to others -- some of whom may not have seen it, or think to give thanks.

Bottom line: if you receive a thank-you, that's a plus. But it's not essential. Don't track it or measure it, don't make it a measure of your success. Focus instead in increasing your own gratitude for this wonderful ministry of Bible teaching! That's teaching to change lives.