We think most about being thankful in November. The weather becomes crisp and cooler. Fields are ready for harvest, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Our thoughts turn to family, friends, food—and all that we are thankful for.
But God never intended us to focus on Thanksgiving just during one month—or even one day each week when we attend church. His desire is for us to live with a heart of gratitude every day throughout the year. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The Bible is filled with Scripture about being thankful and praising God simply for who He is—especially the Psalms: “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2).
Sometimes, being thankful is difficult. Our year may have been filled with trials and unexpected hardships. We may have lost a job or said good-bye to a loved one or struggled with a medical condition. But God calls us to be thankful in all circumstances—especially when times are tough. “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Sometimes expressing gratitude is truly a sacrifice. There’s a reason God asks us to come to him with praise and thanksgiving. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4). First, it helps us shift our focus from our circumstances to Him. When we do, He gives us something amazing in return: His peace. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
And peace isn’t the only thing we experience when we cultivate a thankful heart. God also promises us victory. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). When we are thankful for the things God has given us, that gratitude pushes out things that can wear us down—like bitterness, envy, anger, and much more. Thankfulness opens the door for God’s presence and blessing to come into our lives.
So, what are you thankful for today?
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20 Scriptures from the Bible about Being Thankful
Psalm 107:1 – Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Chronicles 16:34 – Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Psalm 95:2 – Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Hebrews 13:15 – Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Psalm 100:4 – Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Isaiah 12:4 – And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 9:1 – I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
Ephesians 5:18b-20 – Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jonah 2:9 – But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Revelation 11:17 – We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.
Psalm 106:1 – Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Corinthians 1:4 – I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 30:19 – Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.
1 Timothy 4:4-5 – For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
1 Chronicles 29:13 – And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
2 Corinthians 9:11-12 – You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
Jeremiah 33:10b-11 – in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again 11 the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good.”
John 6:11 – Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
Psalm 136:26 – Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Corinthians 4:15 – For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Psalm 34:1 – I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
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