“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

True thanksgiving comes from the heart and mind. We count the many blessings God gives us. We remember what God has done for us in the past, what He is doing in the present, and what He promises for the future. To always be thankful in everything is a command.

Unthankful people murmur and complain. It is a sin to be ungrateful. God was very displeased with the Israelites when they murmured and complained against Moses and God. The Lord punished them a number of times for this. Un-thankfulness is the prelude to forgetting God and falling away from Him.

Over and over in the book of Psalms, we are exhorted to give thanks and sing praises to God. Thanksgiving springs from a humble heart.

Being thankful for people builds relationships. Husbands and wives should be thankful for each other. Children should be thankful for their parents. Church members should be thankful for their ministers and the church.

May God enable us to always be thankful for our many blessings. Humble gratitude and a spirit of Thanksgiving will help us to be devoted to God and to serve others in love.

A heart of gratefulness and thankfulness honors our Lord and Savior.

Happy Thanksgiving.

(Min. Lois Brown is founder of The Prayer Faith and Healing Ministry. You can contact the Ministry at or at healing@prayerfaithandhealingministry.org>.)