Importance of Thankfulness
The Bible gives us a glimpse into the importance of thankfulness. Throughout scripture, thankfulness is seen as an essential component of a life that is pleasing to God. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” This scripture emphasizes how all of our deeds and words should be saturated with a spirit of thankfulness, an attitude of gratitude that we can demonstrate to God — even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
In the Bible, thankfulness is closely connected to worship. We see this reflection in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This connection between thankfulness and worship appears in scripture again and again. When we’re thankful and express our gratitude to God, we are worshipping Him and acknowledging His greatness.
On top of that, expressing thankfulness gives us a sense of humility. It’s a reminder to us that all the good things that have come our way have come from God’s hand. When we thank God, we humble ourselves in a way that acknowledges that He is the source of our provision and strength.
The Bible also encourages us to be thankful not only to God but to those whom God has placed in our lives. We often forget to be thankful to them, even though they have played a part in our success and well-being. We can learn this important lesson in Philippians 4:10, which says, “I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” Here we see Paul reminding us to be thankful to others, especially those who have gone out of their way to support and help us.
Finally, thankfulness fosters a sense of joy in our lives. We experience joy when we express gratitude for the good gifts that God has given us. This joy can help us have a better perspective on our lives, so that we can be more patient and resilient throughout our daily struggles. The psalmist expresses this when he praises God in Psalm 28:7, saying, “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.”
Examples of Thankfulness in the Bible
In the Bible, we find many examples of thankfulness that can encourage and inspire us. One of the most well-known stories is that of the 10 lepers Jesus healed (Luke 17:11-19). Among the 10 lepers, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus for the miracle He had performed. We can learn from this story to take the time to thank God for all the blessings He’s given us and to express our gratitude to those around us.
In the book of Daniel we find another example of thankfulness. When the Prophet Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, he prayed and asked God for help. When God miraculously saved Daniel and brought him back to safety, Daniel praised God and expressed his thankfulness to him (Daniel 6:10). This story teaches us that no matter what kind of trial we are facing, we can always give thanks to God, even in the midst of our struggles.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is another great example of thankfulness. In his letters, Paul often expresses his gratitude to God for His mercy and grace (2 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul also is thankful for the believers in the churches he’s ministered in, praying for them, thanking God for them and for their faithfulness (Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3). Paul’s attitude of thankfulness teaches us the importance of being thankful for the believers in our lives, for their faith, and for their contributions.
Why Is Thankfulness Important?
Thankfulness is important because it reflects an attitude and spirit of humility, gratitude and joy that is pleasing to God. By expressing thankfulness to God and to those around us, we are glorifying and honouring God. We are also reminded to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
When we cultivate an attitude of thankfulness in our lives, it has powerful effects. For example, it reduces our stress levels, increases our joy and helps us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude — even in difficult times. It also creates a sense of connection, as we are reminded to be thankful for the people in our lives who have blessed and supported us.
Furthermore, thankfulness helps us come to a place of humility and faith. It strengthens our faith, as we are reminded to trust God and His provision. And it helps us keep our focus on the things that really matter — the things that come from God’s own generous hand.
How to Increase Thankfulness
Thankfulness is something that we can cultivate in our lives, and when we do, it can have a truly transformative effect. Here are a few ways we can increase our thankfulness:
First, create and practice routines of thankfulness. As we implement routines of thankfulness in our daily lives, we can begin to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness even in difficult times. This could be something as simple as writing a list of things to be thankful for each day or having a “gratitude station” in your home where you can write down and reflect on things that you’re thankful for.
Second, spending time in God’s word can help. As we read the Bible, we can be inspired and encouraged to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness. Reading stories of people who were thankful despite difficulties and hardships can provide us with courage and reminder to stay thankful and trust God’s goodness, even in the midst of trials and struggles.
Third, prayer can also be a powerful tool to help us express our thankfulness. As we pray and talk to God, we can pour out our gratitude to Him for all that He has done for us. It’s also important to pray for ourselves and those around us, so that we can be strengthened in our faith and reminded to give thanks in all things.
Ways to Express Thankfulness
There are many different ways we can express our thankfulness to God and to those around us. Here are a few ideas:
First, we can express our thankfulness through words. Whether it’s expressing our gratitude to God in prayer or thanking those around us for their support, taking the time to express thankfulness through words is powerful.
Second, we can express our thankfulness through gestures. Giving someone a hug, a smile or a helping hand are simple but powerful ways to express our thankfulness.
Third, thankfulness can also be expressed through acts of service. Doing something kind for someone else or volunteering our time to help those in need are tangible ways of expressing thankfulness.
Fourth, we can also express thankfulness through simple acts such as writing thank-you notes or sending flowers or cards to those we’re thankful for.
Finally, we can express our thankfulness by giving of our wealth. Whether we decide to give to a local charity or mission trip, or give a helping hand to someone in need, giving of our resources is a great way to show our thankfulness.
Applying Thankfulness in Everyday Life
In order to make thankfulness a part of our everyday lives, we need to make it a priority. We can do this by committing to taking time to express our thankfulness to God and to those around us. We can also make it a priority to focus on the things we have to be thankful for, rather than focusing on the things that have gone wrong.
Moreover, we can apply thankfulness in our own lives by implementing a practice of gratitude. We can do this by taking a few moments each day to reflect and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. It can also be helpful to keep a “gratitude journal” or to write down the things we’re thankful for.
In addition, setting aside time each day to “count our blessings” can also be beneficial. In doing so, we can reflect on all the good things that have happened throughout the day and be reminded to give thanks and praise to God, even in the midst of trying times.
Why We Should Strive to Be Thankful Always
The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:15 to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” This verse reminds us of the importance of cultivating an attitude of thankfulness in our lives.
When we strive to be thankfui, we bring joy to our Father in Heaven and demonstrate our trust in Him. It also gives us perspective and helps us to focus on the good and not the bad. Thankfulness can help us overcome difficult times and keep us from becoming prideful or bitter.
Therefore, it’s important for us to strive to be thankful always — for the little things and for the big things. Expressing our thankfulness to God and to those around us is a powerful reminder of how we are all interconnected and how much God blesses us every day.
