Thanksgiving is so much more than an American holiday set aside for us to thank God for the abundance He’s given us—it’s a way of life God wants us to live. When we’re faced with the need for more in our lives, be it the salvation of our friends and loved ones, healing for ourselves or others, wholeness in our hearts and minds, the restoration of relationships, financial increase, or anything else provided for us in THE BLESSING, there’s an attitude of gratitude God wants us to have—yes, even in the midst of whatever we might be fighting the good fight of faith about.
First Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to give thanks in all things—not for all things—but in all things. “Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]”(AMPC).
Have you ever just thrown your hands in the air and praised God in the midst of a battle? If you have, then you know how it changes you—and the atmosphere around you. It may take time before your circumstances change, but praise and thanksgiving begin a work in us. It changes our heart attitude; it changes our perspective; and it encourages our faith to keep believing, to not give up, and to stand as long as it takes to see the victory. You could say that it gives us victory on the inside now, while we continue to stand in faith for the victory we’re believing to see and experience. Giving thanks in all things changes us.
The very first day set aside for Thanksgiving was declared on Nov. 26, 1789, by President George Washington. More than a century later, Thanksgiving Day was established as a federal holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in December 1941. What’s interesting is that when President Roosevelt established it as a national holiday to give thanks, there was plenty going on in the world that none of us would be thankful for. Great Britain was at war with Germany; Japan was running over China; and in the same month Roosevelt signed the resolution, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States joined WWII in the Pacific and Europe.
It could have seemed like the worse time in history to give thanks—but God sees things much differently than we typically do, doesn’t He? He says to give thanks in all things, no matter what the circumstances may be. Oftentimes this requires that we give thanks by faith, because giving thanks is not what we’re naturally inclined to do—but it is something we can learn to do. We can learn to develop a thankful heart; and out of that heart, we choose to live with an attitude of gratitude, quick to give thanks in all things at all times.
What are you facing today? Give God thanks in it—not for it—but in it. Give Him thanks for all that you can, for all that’s right, for all that He’s already given you in THE BLESSING. If this feels challenging for you, here are 10 Verses for Cultivating a Thankful Heart to help you develop an attitude of gratitude.
1. Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him" (ESV).
2. Psalm 100:4
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!” (AMPC).
3. Psalm 107:8-9
"Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things" (NIV).
4. 1 Chronicles 16:34
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (NIV).
5. Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (NIV).
6. Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (ESV).
7. Colossians 4:2
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (NIV).
8. 2 Corinthians 9:11
"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" (NIV).
9. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer" (NIV).
10. Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."