Thanksgiving
“Give Thanks In All Things” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Thanksgiving is more than a holiday on the calendar; it is a posture of the heart. The Word of God doesn’t tell us to give thanks for all things, but to give thanks in all things. That means that no matter what season we are walking through, joy or sorrow, abundance or lack, clarity or confusion, there is always a reason to lift our eyes and bless the Lord.
- Thanksgiving Realigns the Heart
Gratitude is not just words; it is spiritual alignment. When life presses in, our emotions often try to dictate our perspective. But thanksgiving lifts our focus off the problem and onto the God who never changes. David said, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
When we give thanks, even through tears, we remind our souls that God is still good, God is still faithful, and God is still working.
2. Thanksgiving Invites God Into Your Situation
Jesus took five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks (John 6:11). Only after He gave thanks did the miracle of multiplication begin. Gratitude opens the door for God to take what you have and do what only He can do with it.
Maybe you feel like what you’re holding is not enough: a strained relationship, a tired body, a small income, or a faith running on fumes. Put it in Jesus’ hands, lift your eyes, and give thanks. Miracles still begin with thanksgiving.
3. Thanksgiving Breaks the Power of Anxiety
Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us that thanksgiving is part of God’s antidote for anxiety:
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God…shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
You cannot be thankful and fearful at the same time. A grateful heart becomes a guarded heart, kept, covered, and calmed by the peace of God.
4. Thanksgiving Reminds Us of God’s Faithfulness
When you look back over your life, you will see a trail of God’s fingerprints:
- Times He Provided
- Doors He Opened
- Battles He Fought
- Strength He Gave
- Mercy He Poured Out
Thanksgiving takes your memory and turns it into worship. It says, “If God has been faithful before, He will be faithful again.”
5. Thanksgiving is God’s Will For You
We often agonize over God’s will. Which job? Which path? Which decision? Yet God makes this part undeniably clear; “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God…”
You cannot walk into the will of God while carrying an ungrateful heart. Gratitude draws you closer to Him, softens your spirit, and keeps your faith alive.