Being thankful is good for the soul, yet we often live in anxiety, bitterness, and frustration. It is helpful to be reminded again of the goodness of the Lord. To live a life supported by thankfulness leads to peace and joy. Thanksgiving prepares us for Advent. I am reminded to recommit myself to a former lifestyle commitment I made several years ago to give thanks every evening for three things from that day.
Below are some encouragements to give thanks.
Every day we can give thanks to the Lord.
Psalm 106 gives us the foundation of all thanks, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” His love is forever and the only thing that ultimately lasts.
Give thanks for your salvation.
“Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” (1 Chronicles 16:35)
Give up your anxiety to the Lord and give thanks.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
We also can give thanks when trials come.
God's servant Daniel was exiled in Babylon, where King Darius sent out a decree that whoever makes a petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you of King, shall be cast into the den of lions.
Therefore, King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. (Daniel 6:9-11)
Give thanks at all times and in every circumstance.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (Thessalonians 5:18)
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. (Psalm 92:1-3)
Be Thankful!
