As Thanksgiving season approaches, it can be easy to assign gratitude to a specific date. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages Christians, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Giving thanks in “everything” can seem impossible, but the Bible is clear in its command. Difficult circumstances and discouraging situations often cause us to neglect giving thanks to God for how He has blessed us.

Billy Graham once said, “May you also remember this Thanksgiving not only the obvious gifts that God has given you, but His spiritual blessings, as well. The greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ, and the salvation God offers us in Him.”

1 Chronicles 16:34 gives a specific reason for giving thanks to God. It says, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” He is good because His mercy to us is everlasting – which is far beyond what we deserve. For that, He deserves our thanks.

Now, Christians are charged to live thankful lives. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

This indicates that the very manner of our lives should exemplify gratitude and appreciation for God’s mercy through Jesus Christ. Our lives – “in word or deed” – should be evidence of God’s goodness and grace.

Billy Graham’s Words on Thankfulness:

• “A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord. Thank God in the midst of trials and every persecution.
• “We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy and grace to us in Jesus Christ.”
• “When thanksgiving is filled with true meaning and is not just the formality of a polite ‘thank you,’ it is the recognition of dependence.”
• “Thanksgiving is recognition of a debt that cannot be paid. We express thanks, whether or not we are able otherwise to reimburse the giver.”
• “Why should we give God thanks? Because everything we have comes from God.”
• “Grumbling and gratitude, are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful.”
• “As you think about the future… give thanks and trust God… Event when life may be difficult, we should thank God for all He does for us – which we do not deserve.”

Giving thanks draws us near to God and brings us closer to others as they experience the godly gratitude of our lives.

As Christians, we are called to be thankful and live gratefully – not only around the Thanksgiving table, but everyday.