What's the first thing your parents taught you to say? For many of us, it was probably "thank you!" Those two simple words get drilled into us almost from the moment we begin to speak. While good manners are essential, biblical gratitude goes deeper than polite phrases. It's actually a powerful force that can transform our relationship with God and shape our entire perspective on life.
We’re just starting the month of November, which ends with Thanksgiving in the US. Thanksgiving is a federal holiday where we stop to offer gratitude to God for a successful harvest and all His many blessings throughout the year. Traditionally, the holiday’s been marked as a time to gather with family and friends. They share a meal that may include turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. However, today’s meal may contain any food you’d like!
The practice of Thanksgiving started in the early 17th century when the Pilgrims shared their Thanksgiving dinner with the Wampanoag people. Since then, Thanksgiving has evolved into a day to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives. The holiday is celebrated in the US on the fourth Thursday in November. Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.
In this post, we'll take a look at the biblical foundation of thanksgiving and how to express our thanks to God.
The Biblical Art of Thanks
The Bible mentions gratitude and thanksgiving hundreds of times. This isn’t only a casual “thanks for the coffee.” We’re talking about deep, life-changing gratitude that is expressed in many types of situations.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for thanksgiving, "todah," is packed with meaning. It's not only about saying "thanks"—it's acknowledging God's character, celebrating His faithfulness, and recognizing our dependence on Him. When David wrote, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 NKJV), he was inviting people into a lifestyle of grateful worship.
The New Testament takes it even further. The Greek word "eucharisteo" (where the word "Eucharist" comes from) is found all through the Scriptures. It's often used in the most unexpected situations. For instance, Paul writes thank you notes from prison, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…" (Philippians 1:3 NKJV). Jesus gives thanks before feeding the five thousand. He did this when diving the five loaves and fishes. (Mark 6:41). These examples go beyond good manners—they're radical acts of faith.
More Than Good Manners
It's easy to be thankful when everything's going great—you have a new job, and the weather's perfect—praise God! But true biblical, faithful gratitude goes much deeper than this.
Consider Job—the one who lost everything and was tormented by bad advice from his friends. Even in the midst of total disaster, he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21 NKJV). That's not being polite—it's a profound trust in God's character.
Let's take a look at Paul and Silas. They were singing hymns of thanksgiving in a prison cell at midnight! (Acts 16:25). They weren't thanking God for the chains but expressing a deeper gratitude that transcended their circumstances.
Sciences Agrees with Biblical Gratitude
Modern science has finally caught up with the Bible. Research shows that practicing gratitude can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, strengthen relationships, and increase overall happiness. Isn’t it amazing that God’s ancient wisdom is exactly what we need?
When Paul said, “...in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV), he was giving us a prescription for our well-being. King David also understood this concept when he wrote, “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works”(Psalm 9:1).
Why Does Gratitude Change Everything?
Biblical gratitude is transformative because of it:
1. Shifts our focus to God: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV).
2. Builds our faith: “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Your wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11 NKJV).
3. Changes our perspective: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…” (James 1:2 NKJV).
4. Strengthens our relationships: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NKJV)
The Heart of the Matter
Here’s what makes biblical gratitude so powerful: it’s not about denying reality or pretending everything’s perfect. It’s all about recognizing God’s presence and goodness in every situation. It’s choosing to trust that, as Romans 8:28 NKJV promises, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
When we understand this, gratitude becomes more than a response to blessings. It becomes a weapon against discouragement, a shield against bitterness, and a door to deeper joy. As David wrote, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7 NKJV).
Your Gratitude Journey
As we start this month focusing on gratitude, I’d like to challenge you to go beyond only saying “thank you.” Start noticing God’s fingerprints in your daily life. Look for reasons to be thankful in unexpected places. Share your gratitude with others.
Remember, developing biblical gratitude is like building a muscle—it gets stronger with practice. Some days, it comes naturally, while on other days, it will be a choice. Even so, as you develop this habit, you'll find what countless believers throughout history have found: a grateful heart is a gateway to experiencing God's presence in powerful new ways.
Why not start right now? Take a moment to thank God for something specific. It could transform your perspective.
To help you on your gratitude journey this month, I've created a November Gratitude Prompt Journal! It's free and can be found in our Gumroad shop. The journal features a calendar linked to a short devotional for each day. Each day's devotion includes a prompt question and a place to write what you're thankful for.
At the end of the month, you can find instructions for reflecting on your gratitude journey. The prompt journal can be printed out or used in a PDF annotation app, such as Goodnotes, Xodo, or others. Check it out! Moreover, it's free; however, any donations are much appreciated!
Remember—gratitude isn’t just about being polite—it’s about experiencing God’s goodness in fresh ways every new day.
God bless,
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