1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Many things about my faith remain a mystery, but a few principles speak loud and clear. One principle I would take to the bank is the importance of gratitude. God created us to be thankful people. The happiest people I know are the most grateful. The most miserable have a penchant for complaining.
My husband and I begin each day with expressions of gratitude for things the Lord has done. Everything from giving us a good night’s sleep to providing an answer for a specific problem. The more we verbalize our thanks, the greater it grows. But I believe the deeper gratitude lies in thanking God for the things we don’t yet see.
That’s what Jesus modeled.
The three times scripture explicitly records Jesus as giving thanks occurred when he faced pretty impossible odds. Like when he fed 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:41). And the 4,000 with seven loaves and a few fish (Matt. 15:36). He thanked God before the answer came. And it triggered abundance.
Before Jesus called Lazarus back to life, he thanked God for hearing him (John 11:41). Even though his own soul was “deeply disturbed,” faith expressing itself in gratitude produced a miracle. I don’t know about you, but when my soul is deeply disturbed, gratitude isn’t the first thing on my mind. But Jesus didn’t fall into despair because he knew God would hear his prayer. And before he made that bold declaration of “Lazarus, come forth,” he thanked God.
A third time when Jesus specifically gave thanks took place at the Last Supper. He knew excruciating pain and the darkness of total isolation was approaching. His own blood would be poured out, his own flesh torn. But what did he do before he submitted to the cruelty of the cross? He gave thanks (Luke 22:17; 19).
Jesus could thank God in each of these instances because he knew him. He knew his character, his love, his faithfulness, his power. Jesus expressed gratitude before his Father did anything, because he had the deep-down assurance of what would do.
So this Thanksgiving, how about we go for the deeper gratitude. Who knows. We might even trigger a miracle!