How do we practice gratitude in good times and bad?
My father-in-law never missed a chance to say “thank you.” Although multiple sclerosis had confined him to a power chair, and his circumstances didn’t support the broad smile he bestowed, he always said “thank you.” And when he did, it came from a sincere, grateful heart. His gratefulness spilled on those who knew him and every stranger who met him.
If I asked you to define gratitude, you may find your first thought takes you to a person with the characteristic of thankfulness. If so, your reaction parallels Merriam-Webster’s definition as “the state of being grateful; thankful.” This description should permeate the DNA of every believer.
Yet, we all know how easily our lips can espouse a generous “thank-you” without true gratitude ever reaching our hearts. Are gratitude and thankfulness the same? Although used interchangeably, a slim difference distinguishes them.
Merriam-Webster defines thankful as being “conscious of benefits received.” People show gratitude through thankfulness for those gifts. Both are necessary attributes in the life of a believer, for ultimately, gratitude and giving thanks demonstrate faith in God as the One who gives.
What Does Scripture Say about Gratitude?
We use gratitude and thanks interchangeably in daily life, and our English Bible translations often intersect them, too. However, several verses in the New Testament make a slight distinction in the original language.
“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17 CSB)
In the original Greek text, gratitude (charis), often translated as grace or thankfulness, extends favor or goodwill. While the term “giving thanks” (eucharisteo) means to “be grateful, feel thankful, or give thanks.” Gratitude extends goodwill toward the giver. Thankfulness acknowledges the goodness received. Biblical gratitude acknowledges the gift and that God is the giver.
“If I participate with gratitude [charis], why should I be blamed for food I thank [eucharisteo] God for?” (I Corinthians 10:30 CEB)
James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from God the Father. If we truly believe this, we know to whom our thanksgiving belongs and why gratitude becomes an outlook that reflects faith in God. A thankful heart demonstrates trust.
Gratitude recognizes it is God who extends His favor and kindness toward us. It results in thanksgiving stemming not just from the lips. It also stems from a heart attitude.
How Necessary Is Gratitude?
The Bible tells us that gratitude distinguishes believers from unbelievers. The apostle Paul characterized wicked people as ungrateful.
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21 ESV)
“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” (2 Timothy 3:2 ESV)
The ungrateful Israelites in the book of Exodus complained against God and the leaders He appointed to guide them. They fell into a cycle of discontent and grumbling in their desert wanderings. The Bible tells us their lack of gratitude stemmed from unbelief.
“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19 KJV)
Perhaps the most poignant and direct admonishments concerning the importance of giving thanks appear in Luke 17:11-19. Ten lepers, outcasts from society, doomed to a life of suffering . . . “Jesus, Master, have pity on us,” they called out to Him as He passed.
Jesus instructed them to go to the priest. Healed lepers needed to be declared clean by the priest to be reaccepted into society and regain access to Jewish religious customs. As the ten men hurried to the priest, the sores on their bodies healed, their skin became new, and the leprosy disappeared. All ten were healed.
Only one of the men returned to Jesus. His gratitude overflowed. That man, perhaps the least likely to return, was a Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans had a long history of hate and distrust. He loudly praised God and threw himself at the feet of Jesus, thanking Him for what He had done.
“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17: 17-19 ESV)
The Samaritan’s expressed gratitude revealed much more than lip service. It affirmed faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
How Did Jesus Model Gratitude?
Jesus gave us examples of gratitude in His life here on earth. His entire attitude of servanthood laid the ground for gracious gratitude. Lord over all, He came as a servant to all, making His pattern one for us to follow.
- The Bible recounts how Jesus thanked the Father before He fed the 5,000. (John 6:11)
- Jesus again thanked the Father before He fed the 4,000. (Matthew 15:37)
- Jesus thanked the Father for revealing the truth to little children in Matthew 11:25.
- Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-42), he prayed at the tomb and thanked the Father for hearing Him.
- Jesus thanked His Father at the last supper with His disciples on the night He was betrayed (Matthew 26:27; Luke 22:19).
- After Jesus rose from the dead, he met some disciples on the road to Emmaus. They invited Him to remain and eat with them. Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it. (Luke 24:30)
Where Does the Bible Command Gratitude?
The Apostle Paul, in his various letters and epistles, gave uncompromising and numerous commands to give thanks. He seems to deliver no-exceptions-allowed directives as he instructs the early church.
- Paul tells us to give thanks always and in everything (Ephesians 5:20).
- He proclaims God’s will in all circumstances, calling for thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul admonishes believers to pray with thanksgiving about everything rather than being anxious. (Philippians 4:6).
- To the church in Colossae, Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 ESV)
- In 2 Corinthians 9:15, Paul steers us to thank God for the indescribable gift of Himself.
Paul was not the only New Testament writer to command gratitude. James tells us to be joyful in trials. (James 1:2) The author of Hebrews (12:28) invites gratefulness for the unshakable kingdom still to come. In the book of Revelation (4:9), John paints a picture of thankfulness around the throne of God.
Thanksgiving characterizes Old Testament saints as well. David and the Psalmists declare gratitude. Psalm 136:1 tells us to give thanks for God’s goodness and love. Psalm 100:4-5 gives us the command to give Him praise in His presence. Psalm 107 encourages corporate thanks. Psalm 95:2 invites us to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving.
1 Chronicles 16:8 includes thanksgiving as part of worship. The book of Ruth powerfully presents gratitude. Daniel and his three friends exemplify gratefulness in a pagan land.
The attitude of gratitude is woven throughout God’s Word. Hearts in tune with God respond to His works with thankfulness.
How Do Believers Grow in Gratitude?
My father-in-law may have had a naturally sweet character, but he also discovered God worthy of all thanksgiving. He practiced finding a heart of gratitude despite his circumstances. It showed by his steadfast attitude of praise to the Lord. If, as we see, gratitude is not just important but necessary for the believer, how can we increase its presence in our lives?
Read the Bible. Gratitude grows as we learn more about Jesus. The source of true gratitude stems from Him. As we increase in knowledge of Christ through His Word, we cannot help but find the well of gratitude overflows because of what He has done, continues to do, and will do.
Pray for a grateful heart. When thanksgiving is missing from our lives, it points to our relationship with Christ above the circumstances we may face. Gratitude results from setting our eyes on the Giver of good gifts rather than on whatever situation we may see. When our focus rests on difficulties around us, it robs a grateful heart. It reveals a lack of trust in God’s Sovereign will and care.
Practice gratitude. Intentionally thank Jesus for what He has done for you. Share with someone else today something for which you are grateful. Look for blessings. Open your eyes to the big and little things God has done and continues to do daily. You will find that gratitude is necessary for believers and changes hearts and delights God.
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Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
