Giving Thanks Isn’t a Day—It’s a Daily Posture
By: Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Here in the United States of America, the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us.
It is a time to practice gratitude and share what we are thankful for in this life.
Often during this time of year, people tend to be more appreciative and count their blessings from God. But giving thanks shouldn’t be an occasional event; it should be a daily posture.
I’d like to share a story illustration that I heard a little while ago: A husband told his grumpy wife, who was feeling ungrateful every day, that she should give thanks for what she has. He presented a challenge: Every morning when you go to the kitchen to make your coffee, name one thing you are grateful for, then write it on a piece of paper and put that paper into this glass jar before you drink your coffee. His wife was angry at him, but followed his instructions, and for the first few days, all she could write was “coffee,” but a few days later, she realized that she also appreciated the sunlight. So, she put “sunshine” on the paper, and a day after that, she thought of something else and wrote it down. Before long, the jar was filled with notes of what she was grateful for, and her entire mood had lifted. Her mentality improved. As her gratitude grew, so did her positive attitude.
My maternal grandma told me many years ago, “Gratitude will change your attitude. Take inventory of your blessings.” Her words ring true for me to this day. She was a wise woman. She was right because I found that when I remember to count my blessings instead of my burdens, I feel better as I realize how my blessings outweigh my burdens. When I focus on what’s going right in my life instead of what went wrong, I naturally start giving thanks to God.
The Bible says that God wants us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This means that no matter what we face, we need to look for the silver lining. I believe that God can restore the most broken places and people in our lives when we put our hope in Him (Romans 8:28). Sometimes, we don’t see the resolution until we go home to Heaven. But no matter what happens here on Earth, the truth is that God is good all the time and He has good plans for our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). Thanks to God’s Son (Jesus Christ), we have the hope of eternity with our Creator when we put our faith in Him (Romans 10:13).
There’s always something or someone to be grateful for, even if you are just happy that your heart is still beating or if you, like the woman in the story illustration above, are only grateful for your daily cup of coffee. Well then, that’s a start!
Ann Voskamp wrote a book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. Toward the end of it is a challenge for the reader to write one thousand things that they are grateful for. I accepted this challenge promptly by going to a Christian bookstore and buying a beautiful journal covered in a purple and pink design, then writing down what I was grateful for several times a week. My first entry in this journal was made on February 28, 2011. I wrote “Rainy days”. My last entry was made on September 23, 2017: “God’s love” being the thousandth thing I was grateful for that day.
It most likely won’t take you six years to complete this gratitude challenge but I believe it will be worth it. When we give thanks to God, it strengthens our heart and soul. When we pray to Him and ask Him to meet our every need, He does so in His perfect time. When we thank Him for His provision, I believe it makes His heart smile and perhaps fills God with gratitude for creating humankind.
So, as this Thanksgiving season is here, let’s pause at least once a day and think about all we are grateful for, then thank God for all of it and more. Such a practice will fill our hearts with joy and help us remember that our God is good all year round.
In closing, I’d like you to listen to these songs:
Song of Reflection #1: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter.
Song of Reflection #2: “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake.
Song of Reflection #3: “Thank You” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you tried giving thanks in all things? Imagine how your life would be different in the best ways if you practiced gratitude daily.
Further Reading:
Psalm 100:4-5
Psalm 107:1
Philippians 4:6-7
James 1:17
Hebrews 12:28-29
Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sviatlana Barchan
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Related Resource: 9 Confusing Things about God– Answered By a Christian Philosopher
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