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Give thanks in everything, because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~I Thess. 5:18
Thanksgiving: an expression of gratitude, especially to God; the grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors; an annual national holiday marked by religious celebrations and a traditional meal
We have food to the letter, at least in the US: turkey and stuffing, pies and cranberries, two kinds of potatoes, and sides galore. We fill up, wonder why we ate so much (because it tastes so good!), then can hardly wait until we start on the leftovers. Most of us can claim an abundance, perhaps even an overflow, of food.
Gratitude, though, is sometimes lost in fellowship and football, stuffed bellies and games around the dining room table when the dishes are done. We say a quick grace before the meal (or maybe not) and drift in, forgetting the One who showers this bounty on our lives, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.
Consider these biblical promises:
- God… gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Cor. 15:57
- … you are enriched in everything for all liberality (abundance), ~ 2 Cor. 9:11
- [God] made us fit to share in his inheritance ~ Col. 1:12
- God always makes us triumph in Christ… ~ 2 Cor. 2:14
- your faith grows exceedingly, and [your] charity…abounds: ~2 Thess. 1:3
- God has chosen you from the beginning [for] salvation… ~ 2 Thess. 2:13
Each of those verses actually begins with a thanksgiving to God. Our gratitude connects us with God’s victory, abundance, grace, blessing, and peace.
Consider Jesus, the author, [example] and finisher of our faith, according to Hebrews 12:2. Jesus ‘gave thanks’ and God multiplied the loaves and fishes (Mark 8:6). He gave thanks to God and Lazarus came out of the grave (John 11:41). When he served communion before his death, the Bible says that he ‘gave thanks’ and his disciples had enough to share among themselves.
Jesus’ gratitude to God the Father triggered the Blessing in abundance each time. Acknowledging God’s goodness is the key to receiving more! If we recognize that principle and consistently put it into practice, we will begin to see increased favor and blessing in our lives!
Gratitude works within the laws of God that were established from the beginning. God said that sowing and reaping would not cease. Giving thanks is your seed. Sow it with your mouth; water it regularly with more gratitude and praise. Get into the spirit and ‘give thanks’ ahead of time, before you actually see the fruit, the fulfillment.
What do you call the things that are not, the things you are praying and believing for, your harvest, as if they already were? With gratitude. Mark 11:24 says that if you believe WHEN YOU PRAY that you receive it, then you will have what you prayed for. Well, if you really BELIEVE you got it when you prayed, then you got it! The Word of God promised it. So you can be thankful for it right now.
I know, you haven’t really seen it yet in your physical world, but your prayer of faith tapped into God’s abundance, so it’s on its way. The devil may try to fight you or stop the blessing, but he cannot win. Daniel found out.
He prayed and thanked God, but had to wait more than three weeks to get the answer he was looking for. When he asked why he took so long, the angel told him it was because he had to fight his way through the devil’s plots and roadblocks (Daniel 10). That angel even had to ask for reinforcements to help him fulfill his mission: to bring the blessing to the faithful Daniel, who was patiently waiting for it.
Do not be like the Israelites who spent 40 years in the desert because of their murmurings and complaints. Complaining is the devil’s way of keeping you miserable and needy. The way out is gratitude. The Bible says in everything, give thanks. You don’t need to be thankful for everything, but you can certainly thank God for the victory, faith, blessing, and peace you need in the midst of whatever you’re facing.
Can I guarantee that your blessing will appear within three weeks? No. I’m not god And I don’t know his perfect will and timing for your life. However, I know that He is never late and always wants to richly bless His children (see John 10:10).
Gratitude also works in the natural world. Show appreciation to the people around you, from your spouse and family to the teller at the bank and the waiter at the restaurant. Don’t allow yourself to be so busy or focused on your plan/schedule that you don’t notice the little blessings in your life. Maintain an attitude of gratitude. Put a smile on your face for everyone you meet. Be liberal with praise, gratitude, and praise. You’ll find that people want to do more for you because they appreciate your efforts.
Gratitude and thanksgiving open the door to favor, mercy and grace from God and people. You may not know how your harvest will come. And it probably won’t turn out the way you hope or anticipate, so don’t try it. God loves surprises and he loves to be the one in control. He is God, after all. He will foil all your grand plans and schemes just to show you that His is better. Faith, thanksgiving and praise are your mission. God’s part is to work out the details to bless you far more abundantly than you can hope, ask, or think (Ephesians 3:20).
The next verse in Ephesians gives glory (thanks and praise) to God for His superabundance. He wants us to have it ALL. Thank God you made it so easy for us! He didn’t give us a long list of tasks to complete or an impossible quest. He simply said, in everything give thanks.
Gratitude always connects us with his overflowing protection, peace, joy, and abundance. It is the key you need to unlock His favor and blessing in your life.