What is thanksgiving?
An expression of gratitude. It is an act of giving thanks. It is an “act”. As children of God thanksgiving should be our lifestyle. We are expected to be thankful in every situation.
This may be difficult at times when things are not working the way we want them to, we want to complain and murmur that God has not been good. But that is not what we are expected to do. The scripture says in 1Theseslonians 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.
So whether it is a good situation or a bad one, our mindset must be a thankful one. A thankful person has so many benefits to enjoy.
When we are thankful this will put us in the will of God.
We give thanks to God for his provision
We give thanks for God for he s the giver of life
We give thanks to God for good health
We give thanks to God for his goodness
We give thanks to God for his forgiveness thank God for safety
We thank God for the beauty of creation
There is an endless list of things we can be thankful for. Many times we allow our minds to focus on the things we do not have or the prayers not yet answered, what this does is drag down a path of sadness and depression which is an expression of ingratitude. But if we make it a habit to refocus on the little blessings we will develop a lifestyle of thankfulness.
And a thankful life is one that never gets stranded.
Scriptures on thanksgiving
1Theselonian 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 103:1-4
Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
Colossians 2:6-7
As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Isaiah 12:4-5
And on that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.” Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1Chronicles 16:34
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.
Hebrew 2:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Psalm 95:1-5
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth’ the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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.