𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 - 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱
There’s something about Thanksgiving season that brings out our grateful side. Maybe it’s the smell of pumpkin pie, or the chance to gather with family and friends. But sometimes, the idea of “being thankful” feels like a polite tradition, like something we’re supposed to do before digging into the turkey. Yet, what if gratitude is so much more? What if it’s actually a powerful way to deepen our relationship with God and see His blessings in ways we’ve missed?
𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - “𝘙𝘦𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴; 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
In these few verses, Paul gives us a blueprint for living out God’s will—rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. Notice he says “give thanks in all circumstances,” not just when life’s perfect. God isn’t just asking us to say “thank you” for good things, but to embrace gratitude as a way of life. Why? Because a thankful heart recognizes that every blessing, big or small, points back to our Creator. Gratitude aligns our hearts with God’s goodness, and in doing so, it becomes a form of worship.
Gratitude matters to God because it reshapes our hearts. When we focus on what we’re thankful for, it shifts our eyes from our problems to God’s provision. Remember the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19? Ten were healed, but only one came back to thank Jesus. And it wasn’t just the healing that mattered to Jesus; it was the grateful heart that truly honored Him. Gratitude is an outward expression of an inward realization that we’re blessed.
When we choose gratitude, even in small things, we acknowledge that God’s hand is at work in our lives. It’s like recalibrating our spiritual compass, pointing us back to Him. And here’s the beautiful part—God knows that gratitude isn’t just for His sake; it’s for ours too. Research shows that grateful people experience more joy, less stress, and deeper relationships. So, God’s call for us to be thankful isn’t just a command; it’s a gift.
𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
This week, try to keep a “Thankfulness Journal.” Each day, write down at least three things you’re thankful for. They don’t have to be grand or profound—just real. Maybe it’s the sunrise, a friend’s kindness, or the laughter of your kids. Let it be a reminder that God is good in the everyday moments, and that gratitude connects us with Him.
𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
“Lord, thank You for all the blessings You’ve given us, both seen and unseen. Help us to develop hearts that overflow with gratitude, not just in the good times, but in every season. Teach us to see Your hand in the small details of our lives and to honor You with hearts full of thankfulness. Amen.”