Word of the week -Thanksgiving
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever… Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” – Psalm 107:1, 8–9
Thanksgiving is the intentional act of expressing gratitude and acknowledging God’s goodness. It is more than a holiday—it is a spiritual posture that aligns our hearts with truth. Webster defines thanksgiving as “the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.”
I love Thanksgiving!!! It is my favorite holiday—a moment to pause, slow down, and remember the blessings of God. Gratitude shifts our hearts, renews our faith, and restores our perspective. And God’s Word invites us to cultivate a grateful heart every day. As leaders we set the tone for our team. No matter the circumstances we must lead from a place of gratitude if we desire to build a healthy and a grateful team culture. Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions so let’s make it a daily discipline to count our blessings each day. Pastor Rick Warren teaches that it is difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously experience strong gratitude and strong anger, fear, or depression. The act of focusing on blessings shifts the brain's focus away from negative emotions.
Three Key Biblical Principles of Thanksgiving
Give Thanks in All Circumstances
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Jesus told us that we would face challenges in this world (John 16:33). The question is not if trials will come, but how we will respond. Gratitude does not deny hardship—it reframes it. Thanksgiving lifts our eyes off our problems and back onto the One who is greater than our circumstances. A thankful heart produces peace, hope, and joy in the midst of life’s difficulties.
Gratitude Guards Our Hearts and Changes Our Perspective
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” – Psalm 100:4
A grateful heart is a protected heart. Gratitude keeps us from negativity, bitterness, comparison, and despair. It reminds us that God is our Provider and that every blessing flows from His hand. Gratitude starves the enemy of oxygen—darkness cannot linger where praise is present. Thanksgiving refreshes our spirit and opens the door for God’s continued blessing.
Thanksgiving Strengthens Our Faith and Releases God’s Presence
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.” – Psalm 77:11
Gratitude is a spiritual discipline that builds our faith. When we remember what God has done, we gain confidence for what He will do. Thanksgiving keeps our hearts soft, our spirits humble, and our focus on God’s character—His goodness, His faithfulness, His unchanging love. It is impossible to be truly grateful and spiritually empty at the same time.
Personal Reflection – Thanksgiving is one of the most life-giving spiritual rhythms we can practice. It realigns our hearts with God, refuels our spirit, and renews our perspective. Gratitude is not a once-a-year tradition—it is a daily practice that brings us into the presence of God and releases His peace and joy in our lives. I am so grateful to the Lord for His amazing blessings, mostly for His love for us through the cross. I am also grateful for my wife Amy of nearly 35 years, my 3 amazing daughters who love God, my 2 godly son-in-laws, my eight grandchildren who I love and enjoy more than I can express, and for all the amazing people God has put in my life including each of you, my family, friends and colleagues. I am blessed and truly thankful!! I am especially thankful this year that my eldest grandson John Michael harvested his first duck on our first duck hunt together Saturday morning in one of our duck holes at Heritage Farms, our family farm in south Alabama!!!! That is a blessing I will be counting for a long time.
Challenge Question: What is one specific blessing you can thank God for at the start of each day this week? Will you commit to practicing “first-fruits gratitude” every morning?
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unfailing love, Your goodness, and Your provision in our lives. Teach us to give thanks in all circumstances and to see every blessing as a gift from Your hand. Fill our hearts with gratitude that pushes out negativity, fear, and discouragement. Help us to enter Your presence with thanksgiving each day and live with a spirit of praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I hope you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday – Let’s keep counting our blessings and foster a heart of gratitude!