An Attitude of Gratitude

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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 3:16-17)

Every year, Thanksgiving arrives, and I’m filled with joy and gratitude. There’s nothing particularly special about the day—though I do love the final days and weeks of autumn. For me, Thanksgiving is special because it serves as a signpost, reminding me to be thankful.

As Christians, we need those reminders to be thankful. In fact, throughout the New Testament, we’re repeatedly urged to have hearts full of gratitude and to pray with thanksgiving to the Lord. One of my favorite passages, Colossians 3:16-17, has been etched on my heart since the earliest days of my faith. It reminds us to let the Word dwell in us richly. It also calls us to use the Word in the everyday life of the local church—talking and singing with thankfulness in our hearts. Finally, it directs us to live with one overarching purpose: the glory of God.

In doing everything in the name of the Lord and for His glory, we are commanded to do so with thanksgiving in our hearts. Later, in Colossians 4:2, we see that even our prayers should overflow with thanksgiving. Whether we read, sing, pray, or live, gratitude should fill our hearts and flow from our lips.

Mature Christians walk through life with an attitude of gratitude. Richard Sibbes expresses this masterfully in Divine Meditations:

“The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise.” (Richard Sibbes, Works Vol. VII, 185)

As we enjoy our turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and all the other delicious dishes served at our holiday feasts, let’s remember to be thankful. Let’s pray together for thankful hearts. Let’s ask God to cultivate in us an attitude of gratitude. Let’s allow the meditations of our hearts to overflow with thanksgiving so that the words from our mouths will follow suit.

Do everything with an attitude of gratitude.

Photo By: Kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/roasted-turkey-on-white-ceramic-plate-5718104/