Author: Pastor Lin Yongjian
Learn to be grateful for everything on Thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Pastor Lin Yongjian
Blessed China Church
This article excerpts from Pastor Lin Yongjian's sermons.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
With Thanksgiving approaching, we reflect once again on the meaning of "giving thanks in all things." Thanksgiving is not just a holiday. The activities of the day are more than just a spiritual attitude towards life; they are a way of life that God gives to His children. When we are willing to learn to give thanks in all circumstances, the focus of our lives will no longer be on difficulties, lack, and comparison, but on God's unchanging grace and presence.
Why should we always be grateful?
First, to always give thanks is God's will and command, as the Roman philosopher said.Cicero It is said that "gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but also the parent of all other virtues." (Gratitude is a fundamental attitude for Christians because it is God's will, and it truly benefits us in many ways.)
The Latin root of gratitude is grace,Yes favor The meaning of grace or favor is gratitude.gratius It means to welcome the favor received (welcoming favorIn other words, gratitude is the proper response of showing appreciation to the kindness others have shown you.
in the past20Throughout the year, numerous research reports have concluded that people who are constantly grateful benefit greatly..
2015 Elosúa Research suggests that frequent gratitude can generate many positive emotions: it can bring happiness, satisfaction, hope, and positive behavior, leading to more forgiveness, empathy, compassion, a willingness to help others, and reduced material desires. Frequent gratitude also reduces negative emotions: less depression, less anxiety, and less envy or jealousy.
2019Another research report from 2010 investigated the relationship between adolescents' gratitude and their happiness. The results showed that adolescents who were frequently grateful had better academic performance, higher life satisfaction, better social integration, stronger learning abilities, and generated positive emotions such as self-esteem, hope, and forgiveness. They were also more positive towards others, and conversely, their negative behaviors, such as jealousy and depression, were reduced. Frequent gratitude can lead to the prosperity of adolescents. They were more likely to identify with the support from their parents and teachers, and felt their parents' love more deeply. This study followed them for four years. 566 A survey of teenagers was conducted annually using a gratitude questionnaire. The results showed that the number of people expressing gratitude increased each year, with a significant increase in positive social behaviors and a decrease in antisocial behaviors. Both teenagers who expressed gratitude and those who received gratitude, such as parents, teachers, and siblings, experienced increased happiness. Teenagers who were initially unhappy underwent more significant changes through learning gratitude, with the most noticeable changes observed in the most unhappy teenagers.
If you have an unhappy teenager at home who is unwilling to interact with others, it is best to teach him to be grateful, to express gratitude, and to learn to thank God often. You will find that he will have a significant change in happiness.
2019A 2000 study on the elderly found that many older adults suffer from depression, stress from aging, pain from illness, or the death of loved ones. The study concluded that older adults who frequently thanked God were not only happier but also experienced less pain from illness or the death of loved ones, and they lived longer.
Dr. EmmonsAnother research report, written by a devout Christian, indicated that those who thanked God in all things were more caring towards the world as God had created and more environmentally conscious..
I. Gratitude is the path to joy in God's will.
While in prison, Paul wrote these three simple yet profound exhortations: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances." These are not idealistic slogans, but the secret to believers' heavenly peace and joy. When we rejoice often, we see God's hand in all things; when we pray continually, our hearts are connected with God; when we give thanks in all circumstances, our lives are renewed. These three are interconnected spiritual rhythms.
However, giving thanks "for everything" is not easy. When faced with illness, stress, misunderstanding, or disappointment, we naturally tend to complain or withdraw. But gratitude is not denying suffering, but believing even in suffering that God is still in control and still shows grace. True gratitude is a declaration of faith.-In any circumstance, I am still willing to trust in You.
II. The practice of gratitude allows us to see the hand of God.
Many people believe that gratitude is merely an emotion, but the Bible teaches us that gratitude is first and foremost an action. When we consciously count our blessings, express thanks, and put love into practice, a feeling of gratitude naturally arises. Psychological research also confirms this: when people record things they are grateful for each day, their happiness levels and life satisfaction significantly increase. It turns out that God had already revealed the principles of blessing in the Bible.
I once knew a brother who decided to write a daily "thank-you note" to God, recording the blessings he experienced in his life. Two months later, he told me that this practice filled him with peace and had influenced his family. Every night he would translate the notes for his children, and they too began to learn gratitude. This is a simple yet profound testimony: when we choose to be grateful, the atmosphere of the entire family changes.
III. Three suggestions for practicing gratitude1. Write down your gratitude
Putting gratitude into words is a concrete spiritual practice. You can write down one thing you are grateful for each day or each week. It doesn't have to be a big event; it could be a gentle greeting, a healing experience, or a shared meal. As you accumulate these records of grace, you will find that God's love has never left you. Harvard Business School research reminds us that gratitude should be sincere, specific, and indicate the reason for our gratitude. If we can write down such thanks with our hearts, we will not only receive joy but also become an encouragement to others.2. Counting the blessings of each day
Life inevitably has its share of disappointments, but if we consciously count the blessings we receive, our focus will shift. We can use a "thank you journal" or a mobile application, such as... GratitudeWrite down three things you are grateful for every day. When you persist in doing this, your heart becomes like a "gratitude account," depositing joy into it daily. The more grateful you are, the richer your heart becomes.3. Express gratitude through actions
1. Write down the people or things you are grateful for.
Gratitude is not just about words; it's about actions. You can write to family, friends, or colleagues to express your thanks; you can also give alms or serve, responding to God's grace. Teaching children gratitude is also a beautiful form of spiritual education. You can make a "gratitude tree" with them, writing down things you're grateful for each day and hanging them on the tree. When children learn gratitude, they will be happier and better at appreciating what they have.
Fourth, a grateful heart eliminates the attitude of "taking it for granted".
In today's generation, many people are prone to taking things for granted.-Taking everything for granted leads to a loss of gratitude. Gratitude reminds us that everything is a blessing. Even the smallest things we possess, like a breath, are worthy of thanks. A father once taught his five-year-old son, when the child envied others driving luxury cars, he gently said, "Son, this is not something to be taken for granted; it must be earned through hard work." The education of gratitude begins with mindset and extends to the details of life.
V. Gratitude brings renewal to life
Studies indicate that people with a grateful attitude not only have better mental health but also closer relationships. Gratitude can reduce anxiety and depression and enhance interpersonal connections. In fact, this is precisely God's will: He desires His children to experience gratitude.
Freedom and fulfillment. When we learn to give thanks, we will more easily appreciate God's good intentions in our families, workplaces, and churches.
VI. Four Directions for Gratitude1.**Give thanks to God**Thank Him for giving us life, salvation, family, and all kinds of blessings. Take time each day to write a letter of thanksgiving to God, making gratitude a part of your prayers.
2.**Grateful to family**Perhaps the family isn't perfect, but I'm grateful that they were able to soften the relationship. Gratitude heals wounds and allows love to flow again.
3.**Grateful to friends**Friends are a blessing from God. When we learn to express gratitude, our friendships will grow stronger.
4.**Grateful for work**Regardless of position, work is an opportunity to serve. When we work with gratitude, even the ordinary can become extraordinary.lsacred.
VII. Conclusion: Let gratitude become the rhythm of life
Gratitude is not a fleeting emotion, but a choice of faith. When we choose gratitude, we discover that God is present in every detail of our lives. A grateful heart brings healing, renewal, and strength, enabling us to praise God even in difficult times. May we all become grateful people, and may our families, churches, and communities become communities filled with gratitude.
We can also learn from Jewish worship. Jews pray daily with thanksgiving (or "thank you")NishmatThey praised God, declaring, "Everything that has breath, praise the Lord." They firmly believed that all life, breath, and existence were a gift from God. They even used the equation "ten to the power of twenty" to express this. 100.000.000.000.000.000.000To describe the praise of God with gratitude-It symbolizes boundless gratitude.
Let me share a passage from it:
"Every mouth will thank you, every tongue will pledge allegiance to you, every knee will bow to you, every spine will prostrate before you, every heart will fear you, and every soul will praise your name, as the declaration states: 'All my bones will say, “Who is like you, who saves the weak from the strong, and the poor from the thief? Who is like you? Who is equal to you? Who can be compared to you? Great, almighty, and awe-inspiring God, the most exalted God, Creator of heaven and earth. We worship you, praise you, sing your praises, and bless your holy name, as King David said, ‘My soul blesses the Lord; may all my heart bless his name.’" *Readers who wish to know the research content and sources mentioned in the article should contact the editor.*