After the instruction to love, I think the instruction to give thanks comes next on the list of the most difficult instructions to keep. I say this because we are instructed to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18). Whether the situation is pleasant or not, Scripture says give thanks. For context, this instruction was given in a letter addressed to early believers in Thessalonica who were facing persecution. How were they supposed to give thanks in such a situation? But I remember the words of a wise person who said that whatever God tells you to do, He also backs you up and helps you do it.
He makes it easier for us by helping us understand that thanksgiving is not so much about the things that happen around us, but more about God Himself. Psalm 136 lists various reasons for us to give thanks, most of which are not about us, but about the One deserving of the thanks. In verse 1, for example, it says, “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” For starters, the fact that God is good is enough reason to give Him thanks forever. He is deserving of our thanks.
Moreover, giving thanks is the will of God for us (1 Thess. 5:18). If we are to live exemplary Christian lives, then we must be in submission to God’s will at all times. For believers, it is not a suggestion; it is a responsibility. As a matter of fact, we see this nature in Jesus. He was always giving thanks to God, especially when He encountered a challenge.
It is through this lifestyle of gratitude that Jesus lived, that we learn that thanksgiving is a factor that brings multiplication. When Jesus was about to feed over five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, He took the little He had, gave thanks, and it became surplus (Matt. 14:13-21, Jn 6:11). He later did the same thing again, applying this very principle of thanksgiving (Matt. 15:29-39). Someone once said that whatever you thank God for does not diminish in your hands. But even if, for some reason, you lose that thing, as Job did, God is able to replenish it beyond its original state (Job 42).
God desires that we ask Him for things. It shows our trust in His providence and our dependence on Him. However, whenever we ask, we must not forget the place of thanksgiving. In Philippians 4:6, we are told to make our requests known to God through prayer, with thanksgiving. We can all testify to how upsetting it is when someone asks for things constantly but lacks appreciation.
God wants to know your dreams. Tell Him your biggest requests. Ask Him for great and mighty things—and when you’re done, ask for more. However, it is extremely important that you do not forget your offering of thanks. Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks. That one was made whole (Lk. 17:11-19).
Nevertheless, as rewarding as thanksgiving may be, we must not treat it as a transactional deal. We should not thank God with the mindset that gratitude will automatically yield more blessings. Rather, as stated earlier, we thank Him because He is deserving of it. God, in His very being, is worthy of our thanks.
For many of us, the reason we find it difficult to give thanks is that ingratitude has taken deep root in our hearts, darkening our perspective. Even when good things are right before us, all we can see is what went wrong. This was one of the sins of the Israelites. They were delivered from their oppressors, yet their ungrateful nature prevented them from seeing it as deliverance. At some point, they even begged Moses to take them back to Egypt (Exo.16–17, Num. 14). God performed great and mighty works to bring them salvation, yet ingratitude veiled their eyes and hearts. I dare say this was the beginning of their unbelief, which later led to generations being cut off from the promise.
This deep-rooted ingratitude often begins with an inability to thank God for the little things. The psalmist said in Psalm 103:1–2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Another songwriter says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Gratitude requires intention. When you actively look for reasons to be thankful, you will find many. Over time, thanksgiving will move from being an instruction you follow to a lifestyle you live, always.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
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