As we approach Thanksgiving, we often reflect on what we’re thankful for. Maybe you and your family go around the table and say what you’re grateful for: friends, family, clothing, shelter, and the food on your table (who’s not thankful for pie?).
It’s a good wake-up call of everything that we take for granted. But after the turkey leftovers are gone and the fall decorations are taken down, do we forget to be grateful until next November? How can we be both thankful and grateful throughout the entire year?
First, let’s look at the difference between the words “thankful” and “grateful.” In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, thankfulness is defined as the “conscious[ness] of benefits received.” I think most of us can say that we’re conscious of what God gives us. Every day, we use what he provides for us, from clothing to the books on our shelves.
Gratefulness, however, is defined as “appreciati[on] of benefits received.”
If you give someone a gift, you expect them to be conscious of it. They must be— they unwrap the wrapping paper, lift it out of the packaging, and look it over. There’s no doubt that they know they’ve received a gift. But it’s another thing for them to tell you how grateful they are, or even to send you a thank-you card. Or what about day-to-day gifts that others give us? We might notice that our mom did a chore for us, but do we appreciate her and thank her for it?
So, are we thankful for what God’s given us, or grateful? Are we just conscious of his blessings, or are we truly appreciative? What’s more, do we show our appreciation?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Praising God and thanking him for his blessings is not optional; it’s a direct Biblical command. In the context of 1 Thessalonians, Paul is not telling the recipients of his letter to thank the Lord for their physical welfare. He does not specify food, clothing, or relationships, although these are good and right things to thank God for. Instead, he is emphasizing spiritual growth and blessing. We should rise in the morning thanking God for our salvation; we should lie down at night praising him for his peace.
The verse about gratefulness contrasts nicely with Philippians 2:14, where Paul says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” How often, friends, can we truly say that we went a whole day without grumbling about what we are given, even if they are not verbal complaints? How often do we whine over the most trivial of things and ignore the blessings all around us?
We might think that we remember to be grateful, but none of us are truly appreciative all the time. We thank God for the big things that happen in our life: for family, for friends, for getting a job or being accepted into college. Unfortunately, we leave out the small graces that he gives us: the sunshine, the fan on your ceiling, warm blankets, a picture on the wall, even down to the last breath you took! James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from God.” We forget that these things are from God.
Take a moment to reflect on what the Lord has given you. He gives you new life each and every day. Even on your bad days, he showers you with his love, and with the love of those around you. Even when you feel lost, you are not lost forever, for he is walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death with you. Isn’t that worth being grateful for?
image credit: unsplash.com
citations: merriam-webster.com