4 Reasons to Give Thanks
The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621 to thank God for bringing them safely to the New World. After that, individual colonies and states frequently declared days to be set aside to celebrate and express gratefulness for particular things.
In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” It was a strange time to declare such a holiday—a time of great turmoil and division. But, maybe that is the very reason President Lincoln proclaimed a national holiday of Thanksgiving and Praise.
When opposing sides can’t seem to settle their differences, it helps to take time to acknowledge what you have to give thanks and praise for. It doesn’t matter whether you’re talking about a divided nation, opposing clans, or warring couples, there is always something the two sides can both be grateful for if they’ll just stop and think about it.
President’s Lincoln purpose for declaring a holiday is also in line with the Lord’s will for us. He said, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:18).
Why is it important for us to give thanks to God? What difference does it make? Three things come to mind.
First, it turns our eyes and our hearts toward the Lord.
We tend to take our blessings for granted and not remember that all good things come from God. When we give thanks to God, it redirects our focus, and shifts the source of our hope as well.
Second, when we recognize the Lord and give Him credit for what He’s done, it honors Him.
We are so busy and preoccupied with our limited life, that we rarely—if ever—give adequate glory and honor to the One who is truly worthy of it. However, giving thanks also honors Him because it recognizes Him as the Source of the good things in our lives.
Third, when we look at positive things, life seems brighter and more encouraging.
It’s easy to begin to think that we deserve the good things of life. But, then we’re disappointed and negative if we don’t get what we expect. If you want to be happy, begin by being grateful. Thankful people are happier.
Fourth, it’s more pleasant to be around someone who is thankful.
Recently, I had a conversation with someone who is caring for elderly parents. She and her husband tend to his widowed father and her widowed mother, giving regular care to both. They go the extra mile in their serving, at great inconvenience to themselves.
However, this friend commented that it was much easier and more of a joy to help one than the other. The reason? One has undue expectations, is never satisfied, and is always demanding more. Rather than do what he can for himself, he demands that others serve him. The other is “grateful for anything we do.”
The person I was talking with delights in serving others, but constant caring for an ungrateful person has worn her down. She no longer wants to spend time with her own parent.
It isn’t just good to be thankful, it is detrimental not to be. Ungratefulness destroys relationships. Gratefulness draws people together.
Our nation needs more good will and something to bring us together.
This Thanksgiving, we have much to be grateful for. I hope that as individuals and as a nation, that we do more than gather around the table and eat turkey, I hope we offer “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
After all, He is the source of all good things, including good will and unity.
Maybe this year, we can work at learning to live a lifestyle of gratefulness. It makes life more pleasant for everybody.
Have a wonderful week of Thanksgiving—and make note of the difference it makes in your life and in those around you.
Question: When have you been blessed by someone being grateful to you, or when have you noticed that gratefulness drew you closer to someone else?
You can leave a comment by clicking here.