Practicing Gratitude

Emerson said that if the stars came out only once a year, everybody would stay up all night to behold them. We have seen the stars so often that we don’t bother to look at them anymore. We have grown accustomed to our blessings. The Israelites in the wilderness got accustomed to their blessings, and God had to chasten the people. God had fed the nation with heavenly manna each morning, and yet the people were getting tired of it. “But now our whole being is dried up,” they said, “there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” Nothing but manna! They were experiencing a miracle of God’s provision every morning; yet they were no longer excited about it. Nothing but manna! – Warren Wiese, quoted in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations

How do you respond to the everyday miracles of life, health, and supplication? How do you express thanks to God? As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, how well do you express gratitude? Here is some food for thought: Are unexpressed thanks truly gratitude? Is being internally thankful enough?

We are spoiled. We receive God’s blessings every day and are so accustomed to them we fail to recognize them. Have we become blind to blessings? What would you do if God did something spectacularly miraculous in your life? What would be your response? I believe you would let everyone know in every way possible. You would shout it from the highest rooftop. You would boldly thank God, Himself, for the miracle. We have grown accustomed to our blessings. Perhaps we have grown too accustomed to them.

Gratitude is defined as a natural expression of thanks in response to blessings, protection, or love. We naturally give gratitude when someone does something nice for us. This is played out time and time again within our interpersonal relationships, special occasions, and even birthday parties. When we give gratitude to God, it is an expression of modesty toward Him and our dependance upon Him. We acknowledge He has the power to benefit us, and our lives are better because of Him. 

The Old Testament Hebrews understood this well. They recognized that all creation provided evidence of God and his lordship over all of life. When they received good news, they thanked God for his goodness and great deeds. When they received bad news, they gave thanks, trusting that God just and sovereign. Gratitude was vital in Hebrew ceremonies and customs. In the Bible, we read of their shouts of joy, songs of praise, music, and even dance in their praise to God. All this was done in gratitude.

In the New Testament, the object of thanksgiving is the love of God expressed in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. The apostles thanked Him for being their ability to preach, for grace, for having spiritual gifts, for love, and for faith. The New Testament writers thanked God for the churches and individuals to whom they wrote. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” It is God’s will for us to give thanks in all circumstances. In Philippians and Colossians, we are told to pray with thanksgiving. In Ephesians, we are instructed to be thankful in the name of Christ, who has made all things. 

Although we know these things today, we tend to forget them. Gratitude is not gratitude without expressions of thanks, it is simply undirected or internal thanks. It is also unfulfilling. For example, I can be thankful in my heart and fail to express it. If my bride gives me a gift for which I am thankful, I should express it to her. It I fail to do so, something seems unfulfilled. When I express my thanks to her, gratitude is given, and the definition of gratitude is fulfilled. I feel fulfilled for my gratitude having been received by her. All is well. Everything is complete.

How do you plan to express gratitude this Thanksgiving season? Will you worship? Worship is and expression of thanks. True worship is gratitude. Will you express gratitude in your family gatherings? The holiday is a time to stop and give thanks to the Lord. When we gather, we are to express gratitude toward Him. We are to celebrate. God is good. He provides everything. He gives blessings. He provides salvation. Those of us who know Him are adopted as God’s children. By grace and through faith, we are saved.

So, my friend, which type person will you choose to be this Thanksgiving? Will you be one who rushes through the holiday and fails to express gratitude to God, possibly even being bitter and sour during the overwhelming details of the day…or will you be one who realizes the truth of His love and provision in your life, pausing to worship Him and express true gratitude? I choose the latter. I hope you will join me. Happy Thanksgiving. Although the official date is not yet here, let us prepare our hearts and make our plans to practice gratitude.