Next week is Thanksgiving.
In the days to come, people will begin making preparations. Many churches will be building their worship services around the theme of thanks. I know I am. There will be opportunities to serve and bless others who are in need.
Our thoughts will turn to the things for which we are thankful.
All this is good.
But, I often wonder why we seem to only focus on giving thanks at Thanksgiving time? It’s almost like we realize we haven’t done well, and so we try and say “Thank You, Lord” as much as we can.
I understand the connection with the day we’ve designated as Thanksgiving Day.
But I also see the Scriptures calling us to be continually thankful.
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 5:20
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Col 3:17
Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. Psalm 95:2
Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30
Thankful everyday, in every way, and about everything.
Thankfulness is the cornerstone of praise.
Not just in November, but everyday. And just like any other facet of worship, if we only do it on Sundays or once in a while, then we are missing out.
The Israelites knew this. They would sing the Psalms of Ascent on their way to worship times in Jerusalem to prepare their hearts for what was going to happen. To help focus their attention on the Lord as the giver of all good things.
A thankful heart is a worshiping heart. We recognize that all we are and all that we have is a gift from the Lord. In acknowledging His supremacy, sufficiency, and providing nature, we avoid becoming discontent and entitled.
So, how can we develop an ongoing life of worship that shapes and empowers our daily worship?
I have four suggestions. These aren’t necessarily original thoughts. They are from notes scribbled on a piece of paper, undoubtedly written down after reading other written thoughts on this topic.
4 Ways to Develop a Life of Thankfulness
1) Take time to regularly thank God for the people in your life and the impact they’ve had on you. This obviously includes people that you know, but it could also be people you haven’t met. Perhaps an author, speaker, or artist whose work has impacted your life. This will help to continually move your perspective beyond yourself and to recognize the presence of God in others.
2) Try to never lose appreciation for a gift you’ve been given. How many of us have received a greatly desired gift, only for it to not mean as much a few months later because we’ve gotten used to it. Being appreciative of what you’ve received, whether it’s physical, spiritual, or relational, is part of thankfulness. Make a list of 10 things you’ve received in the last year and who gave it to you. Take time to again express (or do it for the first time) thanks to them either verbally or through a note.
3) Use the words “Thank you” in a sentence as often as possible. Just like the phrase “I’m sorry”, the phrase “thank you” is incredibly powerful. It helps people to know that you care, you’re thankful, and you’ve noticed. And not just when you receive an item, but for a service or kindness. Could you say it to your mail person, wait-staff at a restaurant, other drivers, child’s teacher, etc? These folks hear enough gripping that a ‘thank you’ will be refreshing. Plus, it reminds us that we don’t deserve what they are doing for us anymore than they deserve our crabby attitude.
4) Be grateful and thankful for the things in life that are normal, usual, and little. Everyday of life and every aspect of our day is a gift from God. Being thankful in all circumstances means not just at Christmas, our birthday, or when we get a bonus, but all the time. For waking up, being able to get around, food and a home to live in, relationships with others, and so forth.
Developing the habit of thankfulness develops us as Christians and as worshipers. A grateful heart is a worshiping heart.
A thankful heart is also a proclaiming heart and a witnessing heart. Our thankfulness in a world that has lost the art of gratitude demonstrates the greatness of God.
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Psalm 105:1-2
Let’s work together to make being thankful not just a Thanksgiving Day thing, but an everyday thing.
For Discussion:
Do you find it easy or challenging to incorporate the discipline of thankfulness into your life? Why? How do you do it?
