The Importance of Being Thankful
I heard this quote not long ago about thanksgiving and it resonated with me.
Thanksgiving is not just a reaction to good news. It’s a relationship with the Good News Himself. It’s not the end of the conversation. It’s the beginning. Because when I thank Jesus – I’m not just acknowledging what he’s done. I’m recognizing who he is.” (author unknown)
I belong to a handmade book club, where each month we are challenged to create a book with a different binding. For October 2023, the assignment was to make a Gratitude Journal. The idea is not only common in the Christian community we are part of; it is also widely encouraged in the broader culture to notice the good things in our lives and give thanks for them. So, I made one. Beginning on October 6, 2023, I kept the journal on my nightstand and wrote down at least one thing I was grateful for each day. It was filled up on January 1, 2025. It was a meaningful exercise. Many days, there was nothing extraordinary to record, but I came to see that even ordinary things—a roof over my head, food on the table, health for the day, and flowers from my garden—were extraordinary blessings from the Lord.
The definition of Biblical gratitude is: Heartfelt recognition of God’s goodness, mercy and provision – expressed through thanksgiving, praise and obedience.
In Scripture it is more than a polite expression – it is a profound acknowledgment of dependence on God and His blessings. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word ‘todah’ conveys thanksgiving or praise, often expressed through worship, offerings or community rituals highlighting God’s faithfulness and provision (Leviticus 12).
In the New Testament the Greek word, eucharisteo, emphasizes giving thanks to God, fostering a deeper relationship with Him and reflecting a life oriented towards His grace. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
However – and I know you know this but I’m going to say it anyways – thanksgiving shouldn’t just happen when the good things we were hoping for happen – it’s also for the times when circumstances are hard. When the baby is lost, when a health diagnosis is scary, when a financial need occurs and the bank account is slim, when events around us are out of our control. Giving thanks at those times is costly. Praising God when facing turmoil – whether it’s personal, financial or in times of deep turmoil around us reflects deep trust. It’s a profound act of submission, adoration and testimony.
I remember hearing about a missionary who was brutally raped on the mission field. Someone asked her, after she had worked through this traumatic event, if it was “worth it”, Meaning, I suppose – that God brought good from even that. Her response has always stayed with me. She said, “No. It wasn’t worth it. But He is worthy.”
Not many of us will ever have to face that situation, but we all have things and events in our lives that are not of our choosing. Psalm 50:23 says “But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” This spiritual practice is a way to express gratitude and acknowledges God's goodness, even in difficult times.
Finally, there’s one verse where thanksgiving is mentioned that has always intrigued me. In Romans 1 – Paul says
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21
Why is “give thanks” there? It seems a little out of place as the chapter goes on - there are much worse things in the following verses than not saying ‘thank you’. But at the heart of things ingratitude is a heart response that says – I don’t need God; I can do it on my own and in my own way. It’s a heart response of rebellion and it appears to lead to a very dark path if not checked. One commentator on this verse said. “Doubt is in the middle position between faith and unbelief. But if we learn to thank God for who he is and for his many blessings we inevitably move from doubt to faith, rather than from doubt to even greater rebellion.” (Os Guiness in James Boice’s commentary on Romans).
So – here’s my assignment for today – before your head hits the pillow tonight – write down the ways you noticed the Lord showing up for you today. He’s always working for us – we just need eyes to see.