Christians should have a life-long attitude of gratitude. In the giving of thanks, we touch the heart of God,our creator. God loves gratitude but loathes ingratitude. Although God repeatedly commands us to be thankful (Psalm 100:4, Phillipians 4:6, Colossians 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:18), our materialistic culture and sinful nature  prompt baser attitudes: ingratitude, selfishness, envy, covetousness, and greed..

Gratitude must be taught, for though commanded by God, it doesn't come naturally. Expressions of thankfulness are left undone for sundry reasons: ingratitude, pride, thoughtlessness, forgetfulness, hurriedness, and lack of experience (not knowing how to best express gratefulness to others). Of the ten lepers healed by our Lord Jesus, only one took the time and effort to go back and thank him.

When someone thanks us we may reply "don't mention it," but we really would feel hurt if our efforts weren't thankfully acknowledged. We expect to be thanked yet are often reticent to express thanks to others. American culture, in particular, has sometimes been viewed by visitors from other cultures as one of ungrateful complainers.

God counsels us in James 1:2 (ESV), "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds." We should especially express our thankfulness to God when things are difficult, believing he has ultimate good in mind for us. The Pilgrims had their thanksgiving celebration after barely surviving their first winter. We should and must thank God though our motives be less than perfect and our situation less than ideal.

Here are a few practical ideas you may find helpful to do:

1. Teach your children gratitude early in life.

2. Keep a journal oriented to being thankful.

3. Have your family look for and share items of thanksgiving.

4. Thank God for three things every day.

Studies have shown that people who are thankful live longer and have a better quality of life. As we make a point of expressing our thanks, an attitude of gratitude becomes more a part of our lives, and our mood is lifted.

Christian sanctification is, in its simplicity, a doctrine of thankfulness to God, and gratefulness to others. Christians, who have experienced God's boundless grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, cannot but reciprocate with thanksgiving to God and forgiveness to those who have wronged them. May the hearts of those God has transformed ever more be thankful.

ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING, AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE! GIVE THANKS TO HIM; BLESS HIS NAME. (Psalm 100:4, English Standard Version)

DEVOTE YOURSELF TO PRAYER, BEING WATCHFUL AND THANKFUL. (Colossians 4:2)

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, English Standard Version)

Acknowledgement-some of this material is modified from Dr. R. T. Kendall-see below.

Further Study:

Kendall, R. T., Just Say Thanks, Strang Communications, 2001. Reprinted by Charisma House, 2005. Dr. Kendall was for 25 years minister of Westminster Chapel in London, where Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones previously ministered.