Make Thanksgiving Your Anthem
When our kids were little, Steve became the pastor of a large church in Upstate New York. When we first moved, lots of people from the church invited us to their homes for dinner. Taking four little ones into someone’s home for dinner is no small task, but we were thankful for the opportunity to get to know people. On the way to whatever house we were visiting, we talked about manners. I wanted my kids to be known for being thankful. I specifically wanted the kids to remember to thank the host before we left, without me having to remind them, so I developed a plan. I told the kids that if they remembered on their own, they would receive a quarter. Not a lot of money for sure, but they were little and thought it was a great game. Usually the oldest, who was eight, would remember, and then the others would follow. People were impressed with their thankfulness until a few months later, when they found out I was paying the kids. Then it became a joke at church. But you know what? The habit remained, and as they grew older, they usually remembered to say “thank you.”
We live in an entitled culture. As believers, we are to be the most thankful people—not just on the national holiday of Thanksgiving, but all year long. Thanksgiving is to flow unhindered from our hearts and mouths.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, “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). At the time, the church in Thessalonica was going through severe persecution, yet Paul felt the need to remind them to give thanks even in the midst of persecution. He himself had done that with Silas after they were beaten and thrown in jail in Philippi (Acts 16:25–28). Paul knew that even when life is challenging, the power of giving thanks is life-changing.
When thanksgiving is the anthem of your life…
You’ll be less likely to complain.
Paul wrote that we are to do everything without grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:14). It’s so easy in our culture, where we are surrounded by entitlement, to complain when things don’t go our way. However, the more you complain, the more miserable you become. Instead, if you switch to thanksgiving, the neural pathways in your brain change, and joy is possible. Try this every time you find yourself complaining this next week: stop and give thanks instead.
You’ll be more peaceful because you’ll know you can trust God.
When thankfulness becomes the anthem of your life, peace follows because you’re not focusing on what’s wrong. As you fix your attention on God and praise Him, the Holy Spirit strengthens your faith, and you find it much easier to trust His goodness. As a result, you have a settled assurance, and your heart is at rest. If you’re looking for peace this holiday season, start by giving thanks every day and watch what happens.
You’ll experience more victory because the enemy’s tactics will be defeated.
We see this in 2 Chronicles 20: as the people began to sing and give thanks to God, the Lord sent ambushes among the enemy, and they were defeated. If you want to experience more victory in your life, start making praise and thanksgiving a regular pattern. Your breakthrough will follow your praise and thanksgiving.
Friend, beyond our holiday of Thanksgiving, why not make it your goal to become intentional about praise and gratitude? Seek to make thanksgiving the anthem of your life. I guarantee you’ll be much happier, less fearful, and more victorious!
Happy Thanksgiving!