Benefits of Thanksgiving
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name”. Hebrews 13:15
The month of November is known for Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, families come together to give thanks and appreciate the goodness of God. As wonderful as Thanksgiving Day is; we need to understand that true thanksgiving is not supposed to be a seasonal thing, but a daily thing. God loves it when we dedicate a whole day to give Him thanks; but He appreciates it even more when we give Him thanks all year round, in all circumstances of life.
“Now the people complained about their troubles in the hearing of the Lord. When the Lord heard it, His anger burned. The fire of the Lord burned among them, and destroyed some around the outer parts of the tents. 2 Then the people cried to Moses and he prayed to the Lord, and the fire went out.” Numbers 11:1-2 (NLV)
Apart from disobedience to God’s commandments, another thing God dislike is ingratitude. God is literally allergic to complaining, but He is attracted to thanksgiving. He looks favorable upon those who are full of gratitude but He is repelled by those who murmur and complain. God’s will for us is that we “rejoice always…in everything, giving thanks.” We’ll take a look at four wonderful things that happens when you give thanks to God.
Gratitude keeps you joyful in any circumstances.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18.
Joy is necessary in the life of a Christian, as it is a sign of our salvation (abundant life). Without joy, you will lack the strength that is needed to stand strong in the midst of life’s trials. Things could have gone differently for Paul and Silas if they had not been so joyful in the prison. The devil tried to steal their joy, but they did not give him that opportunity. Thanksgiving inspires joy in your heart regardless of the situation that confronts you, because in the presence of God, there is always the fullness of joy. Being grateful makes you joyful.
Gratitude keeps you healthy.
“A glad heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
God wants us to have a full life. Did you know that thanksgiving is good for our well-being, and more beneficial to us than God? According to John 10:10; the devil does not come except to steal joy, kill hope and destroy life, but Jesus Christ came to give us life abundantly. Gratitude is necessary for abundant life because is a catalyst for good health. A grateful heart is like good medicine to our body, because being grateful makes you happier and healthier.
Gratitude is a faith Booster.
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7
Thanksgiving is a great faith booster, because it inspires hope in your heart. When you give thanks to God, faith rises up within you. Thanksgiving helps you to keep your focus on God instead of your problems. When you give thanks for what God has already done, you will be confident of His faithfulness that what He did before; He is able to do again! And when you give thanks for what He promised to do, your confidence in His faithfulness increases that what He said He will do, that is what He will surely do. Numbers 23:19
You overcome situations and circumstances.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Thanksgiving is one of weapons of war. Gratitude is essential to get us through trials, because it builds perseverance through trials. The tide of the battle always turns in favor of those who give thanks unto the Lord. An example of this is Paul and Silas. Gratitude is the way of winners. It is the force that promotes and keeps you advancing in life. Ingratitude, on the other hand, will bring anyone down. You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose, when you embrace an attitude of gratitude.