What does the Bible say about thankfulness and gratitude?
At this time of year our thoughts turn to gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of the month. Yet sometimes it’s hard to keep gratitude in our thoughts and minds with the world full of chaos. That’s why gratitude is important to practice.
Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday because my heart is always tugged in the wrong direction. The holiday should be about spending time with family and gratitude, yet sometimes I focus on what’s missing, like loved ones who have passed on or strained relationships.
Scripture tells us to be thankful for everything. Paul says “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, …, with thankfulness in your hearts to God,” Colossians 3:15-16.
Why is gratitude important?
Thankfulness is important because it shifts our focus from what we don’t have to what we do. If we look at a glass that is half full, we can either focus on the empty portion or the full portion of the glass. This perspective change doesn’t change the circumstances, the people who have died, strained family relationships or other negative things, but to live life with gratitude means the focus is on the half that’s full, not empty, and therefore see God blessings in all things.
Thankful Bible Verses / scriptures
The six verses below focus on gratitude. Post them where you will see them every day to help shift your mindset to thankfulness.
- Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20.
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, Philippians 4:6.
- And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 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, Colossians 3:15-16.
- Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
- I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds, Psalm 9:1.
- The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him, Psalm 28:7.