This is the month that many people focus on thankfulness, Some are posting on social media once a day for the whole month what they are thankful for. I did a Thankfulness journal for one whole year in 2012. I really had to start digging a little deeper after the first month or six weeks and really got some amazing insights for myself as I dug into the scriptures, my memories and the day to day happenings that year.

Several years ago I noticed that a friend of mine had put a reminder on his phone calendar at a specific time of the day. His phone would ask the question – what are you thankful for today? I decided to do the same thing. I confess that not every day do I stop and reflect or have time to pause my day, but the reminder comes up and I am at least reminded to pause. He would even use that opportunity if he was with someone, to purposely pause and invite them to join him in giving thanks.  I have done the same occasionally.

Thankfulness is not only something we are encouraged to do – “give thanks with a grateful heart” – but it is actually a stronger word, more like a command. Why would the Lord put such a strong emphasis on giving thanks? One verse even states “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” We all know that means there are going to be times in our lives where we have to do this by faith and out of obedience, because our circumstances don’t make us feel thankful. We don’t give thanks for tragedy or the many other negative things that may happen to us, but we do give thanks in the midst of adversity.  Thankfulness put our focus on God and on His many blessings to us. It helps us take our eyes off of any negative scenarios that made be currently going on.

Psalm 136:1 simply says: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” If there is one thing I have come to believe, it is the truth that our God is good – all of the time. We may not understand, we may not like what He has allowed, we may even get upset at God – but it is still true. He is good – all the time, every time – whether it makes sense or not.

Here is a really good one (Colossians 3:15-17): “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Thankfulness is sandwiched in between these other admonitions three times! Maybe its like the glue that sticks things together or like peanut butter and jelly – they just go together!

Both Ephesians and Thessalonians tell us to give thanks in all circumstances – and some of these believers, including Paul suffered greatly for their faith. Perhaps that is what brought the Philippian jailer and his family to faith! Paul and Silas had been severely beaten, falsely accused and thrown into prison, but at midnight they were found singing and praising God. I don’t think they could have done that without a grateful heart. 

The short book of Colossians mentions thankfulness nine times. Throughout this epistle Paul is laying a strong foundation for their new faith. Throughout the book, thankfulness and gratitude are encouraged as the attitude that every believer should have as part of their foundation. Colossians 2:6-7 states: “ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflow with thankfulness.”  

In the book of 2 Corinthians thankfulness or gratefulness is mentioned 16 times. One of the areas Paul highlights to this fellowship is that their giving and generosity brings the recipients (as well as the givers) into thankfulness to God. 

One of my favorite passages is the little book of Philemon. It is a pretty amazing story about a man who had a slave that ran away, was caught and thrown into prison with Paul, who led him to the Lord. Paul is admonishing him to forgive this former slave and to treat him like a brother. But Paul starts his letter to Philemon “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers…” Paul loved and prayed for this man and was thankful for him. He demonstrated love towards other believers and admonished him to do the same with his slave who was now his brother in Christ. I am so thankful for the many friends the Lord has placed in my life and do try to faithfully pray for them. 

We really do have so much to be thankful for. Can I encourage you this month, in whatever way you personally choose, to make gratefulness and thankfulness a part of your life. It really is very difficult to be depressed or sad or any of the other negative emotions when you are focused on being thankful!