Learn to Be Thankful for All God Does for Us
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When you are driving, have you ever had near misses from hitting another vehicle or individual? Of course, we all have. It’s at these moments when we must remember to thank God for keeping us safe. This should be our immediate thought as we are continually prevented from harm.
Gratitude is a powerful spiritual principle in the Bible. It’s not just about being polite—it’s a key to entering God's presence and aligning our hearts with His will. The Bible teaches that thankfulness is the first step in connecting with God, shifting our focus from problems to His goodness. Psalm 100:4 (NIV) – states this is the first step in prayer “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Before we present requests or seek His guidance, we start with thanksgiving. Gratitude opens the door to deeper intimacy with God, and thanksgiving shifts our focus from problems to His presence.
Another powerful verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude is not based on circumstances—we are called to give thanks in all situations. Being thankful is God’s will, meaning it brings us into alignment with His purpose. Even in trials, gratitude helps us keep faith and trust in Him.
Thanksgiving Brings Peace! Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” Thanksgiving is an essential part of prayer. Instead of worrying, we should present our needs with gratitude. Peace comes after we express thankfulness, even before our prayers are answered. Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV) – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Key Takeaway:
Gratitude is connected to worship and joy.
A thankful heart keeps us centered on God’s goodness.
Everything we do should be done with thanksgiving, bringing glory to God.
5. Gratitude Unlocks More Blessings
Luke 17:15-19 (NIV) – “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”
Key Takeaway:
Ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to give thanks.
Jesus acknowledged and rewarded the one who showed gratitude.
Gratitude doesn’t just acknowledge blessings—it positions us for more.
6. Thankfulness Strengthens Our Faith
Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Key Takeaway:
A life rooted in Christ naturally overflows with thankfulness.
Gratitude is evidence of a strong faith.
The more we recognize God’s faithfulness, the stronger our trust in Him becomes.
Application: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving
Start Every Prayer with Gratitude – Before asking, thank God for what He’s already done.
Keep a Gratitude Journal – Write down daily blessings and answered prayers.
Express Thanksgiving in Worship – Sing, speak, or meditate on God’s goodness.
Shift Your Perspective – Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, find something to thank God for in every situation.
Encourage Others with Gratitude – Share testimonies and remind others of God’s faithfulness.
Final Thought