Today, I want to talk about something simple but powerful—Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not just a holiday where people eat good food. It is a way of life. It is about thanking God for everything He has done. It is about having a grateful heart, even when things are not perfect.
Sometimes, we forget to say “thank you” to God. We complain about what we don’t have. But do you know that God loves a thankful heart? The Bible says:
👉 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This means that no matter what is happening—good or bad—we should still thank God.
1. Why Should We Give Thanks?
Let’s think for a moment. Why should we thank God?
1️⃣ Because He gives us life – If you are breathing right now, it is because of God. Many people did not wake up today, but you did. That is a blessing!
2️⃣ Because He provides for us – Maybe you don’t have everything you want, but you have what you need. You have food, you have clothes, you have a place to sleep. That is God taking care of you.
3️⃣ Because He loves us – Even when we make mistakes, God still loves us. He does not give up on us. That alone is a reason to be thankful!
👉 Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
2. How Do We Show Thanksgiving?
Now, how can we show that we are thankful to God?
✅ By saying it – Just open your mouth and say, “Thank You, Lord!” It is that simple. When you wake up, say thank you. Before you sleep, say thank you.
✅ By living right – When we obey God, it shows that we appreciate Him. If someone gives you a gift, and you destroy it, it shows you don’t value it. But if you take care of it, they will know you are grateful. In the same way, when we obey God, we show that we appreciate His blessings.
✅ By helping others – When God blesses you, don’t keep it all to yourself. Share with others. If you have food, share with someone who is hungry. If you have love, give it to someone who is lonely. That is how you say “thank you” to God.
👉 Hebrews 13:15-16 – “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name… And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
3. What Happens When We Give Thanks?
When you are thankful, good things happen:
✅ God gives you more – When God sees that you appreciate what He has done, He blesses you with more. Think about it. If you give someone a gift and they don’t say thank you, will you feel like giving them more? Probably not. But if they are grateful, you will want to give them more.
✅ It brings joy – A thankful heart is a happy heart. People who always complain are never happy. But when you are grateful, you feel peace and joy.
✅ It invites God’s presence – God loves to be where there is thanksgiving. When you thank Him, His presence fills your life.
👉 Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
Counsel: Let’s Practice Thanksgiving
Today, I want you to do something simple. Look around your life and find five things you are thankful for. It could be your family, your health, your job, or even the fact that you ate today. When you focus on the good things, you will start to see how much God has done for you.
So, instead of complaining about what you don’t have, thank God for what you do have. When you wake up tomorrow, just say, “Thank You, Lord.”
Prayer
Let’s pray together:
“Father, we thank You for everything You have done for us. Sometimes we forget to say thank You, and we are sorry. Thank You for life. Thank You for food. Thank You for Your love. Help us to always be grateful. Fill our hearts with joy and peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is not just about words. It is about how we live. When we appreciate God, He blesses us even more. So let’s make thanksgiving a daily habit. Say it. Live it. Share it. God loves a thankful heart!