Yesterday was Thanksgiving—a day set aside to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. But how many of us truly pause and take time to give thanks? If you did, way to go!
The truth is for many, Thanksgiving has become little more than an excuse to eat turkey, watch football, and plan Black Friday shopping trips. And in the rush of all the planned activities, it’s easy to overlook the real purpose of the day: Gratitude.
And, just like worship is not ONLY singing, gratitude is not ONLY saying something we’re thankful for at the table on Thanksgiving day. Gratitude is a way of life that requires ongoing practice.
Gratitude doesn’t always come naturally in a world where we take so many things for granted. We’ve grown accustomed to our blessings and often fail to notice them. I once read, “If the stars came out only once a year, everyone would stay up all night to see them.” But because the stars appear nightly, we rarely look up to marvel at them. The same is true of our blessings. When we become accustomed to them, we lose our sense of awe and thankfulness.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the Apostle Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” At first glance, this command may seem impossible. How can we rejoice always? How can we give thanks in all circumstances, especially the difficult ones? The answer lies not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, He transforms our perspective. He helps us see the beauty in the ordinary, the purpose in trials, and the abundant blessings—big and small—all around us.
In Luke 17:11-19, ten Lepers call out to Jesus and ask Him to have pity on them. Jesus healed all ten of them, but only one returned to thank Him. That one man, a Samaritan, recognized the gift he had received and chose to come back and express his gratitude. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” This story challenges us to reflect on our own hearts. Are we like the nine who received blessings without giving thanks, or like the one who took the time to thank God?
Gratitude is not just a feeling; it’s an intentional choice. It’s choosing to pause and acknowledge God’s goodness in every situation. It’s realizing that there is grace, even in hardships—a lesson, a provision, a promise of His presence. Psalm 103:2 (NLT) tells us, “Let all that I am praise the LORD ; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” This verse reminds us to actively remember and recount God’s blessings.
As we move beyond the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s strive to cultivate a lifestyle of thankfulness. Start small: thank God for the sunrise, the laughter of loved ones, the meal on our tables, and the gift of salvation. Let the Holy Spirit awaken in each of us a deep awareness of God’s goodness.
This gratitude will not only honor God but also transform our hearts and bring us joy. So let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the blessings we’ve overlooked and allow His joy to draw us closer to Him and fill our hearts with thanksgiving.
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