THANKSGIVING

According to the first Christian habit, habits are patterns we adapt over time with skills and aptness. So, for Christians to grow into a certain level of spiritual maturity, these Christian habits groom us. 

An act of gratitude is a habit that should be adopted by Christians. Thanksgiving simply means offering gratitude and appreciation. This act is often done by Christians to show how grateful they are to God.

As parents, when you pay for your kids’ school fees or field trips, you wait and expect a “thank you,” even if it is your responsibility to do that. That is what God expects from us every single day. He is the big supernatural upstairs and keeps up the “big brother” responsibility, but we must be grateful.

What would you do if you had an ungrateful child, wife, husband, or friend? 

The power of Thanksgiving is underrated and it cannot be overemphasized. Whether everything is going smoothly or topsy-turvy, give thanks for rainy days and days of uttermost sunshine.

The act of entering the throne of God with thanksgiving in our hearts and entering his court with praise will move the hands of God to do more, even though that should not be our motive. Thanksgiving encourages a more cordial relationship with God. 

There is this man in the Bible who loves to give thanks to God for absolutely everything, The Psalmist, David. He was very close to God while inscribing the book of Psalms he wrote.

Psalms 107:1- “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”

David understood what giving thanks to God meant, and until we reach the full understanding of what thanking God means, only then will we actually be thankful. Only when we think deeply will we realise that thanking God is way beyond… “I want to thank God for his blessings.” The true test of Thanksgiving comes during our most difficult times. 

Thanksgiving draws us closer to God. That particular child among your children that appreciates your effort as a parent will surely be closer to you and receive more from you than the rest of the crew.

Expressing gratitude can come in various formats.

• Singing is an act of giving thanks.
• Playing instruments 
• Eulogising God
• Speaking words of gratitude

One of the major secrets of Thanksgiving is that “When praises go up, blessings come down.” When we open our mouths to speak deep words of worship and pour our sincere gratitude out. God comes down by himself to receive our thanks.

When those good and bad times move us to tears in the presence of God, he draws us close to himself and comforts us. That explains the warmth we feel during those worship moments that make us break down and cry hard.

Psalms 106:1 Praise the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.