Gratitude and Thanksgiving are more than turkey and pumpkin pie. In fact, the Bible teaches that a heart of thankfulness is a powerful force in our walk with Christ and a primary means of glorifying God in our lives. The passages below illustrate the power of thankfulness for believers:
It blesses God.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
Psalm 100:4
It is motivation to proclaim the gospel.
"For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:15
It is the replacement for ungodly speech.
"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Ephesians 5:4
It’s a remedy for anxiety.
“...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6
It is the substance of intercession and prayer.
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…”
Colossians 1:3
It helps root us in faith.
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7
It protects and informs our conscience.
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,”
1 Timothy 4:4
It is the worship song of angels before the throne of God.
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 7:12
How quickly we fall into sin, doubt, worry, and condemnation when we are not in the habit of thanking God. Let us wield the powerful tool of thanksgiving by putting it on our hearts, speaking it with our lips, and proclaiming it in our prayers.