Living Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” W.J. Cameron

Thanksgiving is not just a holiday. It’s a way of being. Not just something to do occasionally, but a way to live. By giving thanks continually, constantly, even in difficult times, our minds and hearts focus on the true reality. The true reality being that God is in control. Regardless of how we understand things, God fully understands everything and is working to fulfill his plans and purposes in the world and in us for his glory.

Jesus was our example of this practice of giving thanks even in the most difficult of times. At his last meal with his followers he gave thanks before partaking (I Corinthians 11:24). Jesus knew his betrayer was near. The doubter was there as well as was the denier. Soon he would be crucified. But Jesus gave thanks and brought them all into the true reality: “This is my body. . . this is my blood.”

Paul also shows us how to practice gratitude in the book of Philippians, chapter four:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. . . . I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Gratitude leads to faith. Gratitude and faith open the door for answered prayers. Gratitude, faith, and prayer lead to shalom, the Hebrew word not just for peace, but for well-being in us and around us.

Orthodox Jews have a daily practice of giving thanks one hundred times each day. The phrase they use for doing this is something like: “Praise be Thee, O Lord, King of Heaven, for ________.”

Can we count one hundred things about which to be thankful? Clean drinking water, family, friends, freedom, Thai food, peaches, a house, laughter, camels, autumn leaves, green frogs, pumpkin pie, football, Charlie Brown, Jesus, etc. We have so much for which to be thankful.

God has two dwellings; one in heaven,
and the other in a meek and thankful heart.”
Izaak Walton