December is a time when many people look back on the events of the year. A period to be grateful for everything, material and immaterial, that we have received. What does the Bible say about gratitude?
Several scriptures tell us to give thanks to God. For example, in Psalm 50:14, Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
It is God's will for us that we thank Him. Not only when we are happy and cheerful, but 'in everything'. Isaiah writes in the twelfth chapter of the book of the same name that we will thank God that He was angry with us, for it has led to repentance and God has been merciful. While we sometimes don't see the blessing or a cause for gratitude in a difficult or sad situation, often it is there. God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Reasons to thank God
There are many reasons to thank God. We already read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that it is God's will that we thank Him. It is in a list of exhortations for spiritual life. In addition to prayer, study, and association with others, giving thanks is therefore an essential part of the life of a believer.
Also in other Bible books written by Paul, he mentions motives for giving thanks to God. The most important are found in Romans and the letters to the Corinthians.
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!” Romans 7:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:57 and 2 Corinthians 9:15.
God loves us immensely. That is why He has a solution for sin. Jesus has redeemed us. He gives victory over death by the surpassing grace which God bestows upon us. Through this we may receive eternal life, dwell with Him forever. That is the essence of a Christian's gratitude.
The effect of thanksgiving to God
If we are saved by God, we may not only experience His love, but also pass it on to others. This love shapes our character after His example. We clothe ourselves “bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” Colossians 3:12. We are aware of God's grace that we have received. We also know that all glory is due to God, so we must thank Him. Not out of compulsion, but out of love and because of what He has done for all of us and is still doing now. Recognizing Him as Most High prevents us from becoming proud and keeps us humble.
With God's peace in our hearts, we can then follow Paul's advice. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17.
All this also means that the love and the good things we receive from the Lord , we want to pass on to those around us. Our generosity leads to greater thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-15).
Benefit for ourselves
God is due all thanks and worship. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Romans 11:34-36.
A grateful attitude towards Him not only increases His honor, but also has positive effects on our well-being. Ellen White writes “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise.” MH251.
It has important social benefits. Gratitude makes us more helpful and generous. We become more forgiving and less lonely. Gratitude thus strengthens our bond with other people.
It also leads to more positive emotions. Grateful people are more optimistic and experience more joy and happiness.
Gratitude not only has beneficial effects on our psychosocial well-being, but also on our physical health. It improves the quality of sleep: people with a grateful attitude sleep longer and feel more rested when they get up. They also suffer less from aches and pains, have a stronger immune system and lower blood pressure. Research also shows that grateful people exercise more and take better care of their own health.
Expressing gratitude
The fact that it is good to be grateful does not make it obvious or easy. There are a number of things you can do, so that you can be more aware of giving thanks and more thankfull.
● Make thanking God a regular part of your prayer.
● Keep a gratitude journal in which you write down a few things each day that you
are grateful for. To help you with this, I have created a gratitude journal. On this
you can write down every day for a week for which you are grateful. The second page contains extra inspiration with Bible texts, quotes and some questions.
Click here to download the gratitude journal for free.
● Play the ‘thank you’-game. We sometimes do this at the opening of the Sabbath.
Each family member takes turns to name something for which we are thankful to God this week.
● Sing psalms, hymns and songs to give thanks and praise to God.
● Enjoy the blessings you receive from God. Enjoy nature, a healthy meal, the people around you, your health, and so on.
● Let others share in your gratitude: for example by volunteering, by making a
donation or by helping someone you know.
Free gratitude journal
To help you with the last point, I created a gratitude journal. On this you can write down every day for a week what you are thankful for. The second page has additional inspiration with Bible verses, quotes and some questions. Click the button below to download the gratitude journal for free. After downloading, you can print it out as many times as you like.
“Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus
shall raise up us also by Jesus,
and shall present us with you.
For all things are for your sakes,
that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many
redound to the glory of God” 2 Corinthians 4:14-15
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