Attitude of Gratitude

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 1Chronicles 16:8

There is a little town on the Chesapeake Bay named “Gratitude.” It doesn’t have much except a few homes and a little marina. Old friends have one of the homes right on the water. It is a beautiful setting and a peaceful escape for them.

I haven’t been there for a number of years but as I started to think about Thanksgiving this year I was reminded of the owner’s words as we arrived the first time. He greeted us outside the house and told us to enter “with an attitude of Gratitude!” Then he proceeded to set the perfect example of that attitude all weekend. He rejoiced in his setting, in his hospitality, and in his family.

I was a very young Christian back in those days but as my faith and knowledge of the Word of God have grown I have often thought about how Biblical that attitude of Gratitude is. The Bible reminds us regularly to be thankful and to give thanks in all circumstances.

As I have studied it’s interesting to note what things the Bible pairs with thanksgiving. In Psalm 107:22 the Lord tells us that we can expect joy with Thanksgiving “And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!” In other verses we see things like giving and thankfulness (Psalm 54:6) and peace and thankfulness in Colossians 3:15. We praise God in our thanksgiving and praising Him gives Him the glory due to His name and His steadfast love (1 Chronicles 16:34).

Psalm 105:1 instructs us, ” Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” When we give thanks to the Lord others should hear about it. This isn’t one of those things we need to do in the closet for no one else to hear. When we thank God for His goodness to us others can benefit if they hear about it. They can see God’s faithfulness to us and look for it in their own lives.

In Psalm 33:2 we’re reminded what a gift it is for musicians to offer their thanksgiving with their musical talent. The Psalmist says, “Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!” I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to apply that to any gift God has given us. When we do it well and for His glory He sees and hears it as thanksgiving for the gift. When we fail to use the gifts God has given us we are acting ungrateful toward Him.

There are many ways to express thanks to God and many ways that we benefit from having attitudes of gratitude as we approach God in prayer and praises for His goodness and steadfast love. We are reminded of His love, can rest in His peace, and know the joy of the Lord.

As we approach this Thanksgiving Holiday it may be a useful exercise to actually sit down and make a list of all that we have to be thankful for. Sometimes, especially when the economy is tanking and the world seems to be falling apart around us, it is good to remember the blessings that God has given us – even if our circumstances are hard.

So, as with Paul to the Thessalonians, my prayer for each of us this Thanksgiving is that we will, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;” “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1Thessalonains 5:16-18)