What does it mean to be thankful? Is being thankful different from being grateful? In short, yes. Being thankful is often immediate and tied to a specific situation or circumstance. Gratefulness, however, runs deeper, reflecting how an experience has impacted your life over time. Gratitude, while related, encompasses both thankfulness and gratefulness, expressed through intentional acts of giving.
Gratitude IS Giving
Gratitude is the art of expressing your thankfulness and gratefulness through giving—not just monetarily, but by offering your time, kindness, or love. Was there ever a time when someone went out of their way to help you, and you couldn’t repay them? By giving your time to the church or your community, you can extend that same blessing to others. Faith-based giving allows us to show appreciation to God, reflecting our unique spiritual journey. If you’re not already practicing faith-based giving, take time to pray and ask God what He’s calling you to give.
For me, that journey began a little over six years ago when my life was consumed by a bottle of whiskey; I had no relationship with God and no sense of purpose. Each day was blurred by a drunken state and I had no understanding of who I was or why I was even here on this planet.
But today, I am grateful to say that I’ve been sober over five years.
Sobriety itself is something to be thankful for, but what truly fills me with gratitude are the people I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. With each day of sobriety, I grew closer to God. I started reading the Bible, attended church, and surrounded myself with others who were also growing in their faith. Through it all, I began to understand the kind of person God intended for me to be.
Looking back, I don’t think it was God’s intention for me to become an alcoholic, but I do believe that He has been using my journey to impact others and to bring me to places where He can continue to use me for His glory.
The Fruit of Gratitude
Studies show that practicing gratitude makes us more generous with our time and money—which, in turn, cultivates even more gratitude. It’s no coincidence; God designed us to step out of ourselves and serve others. Scripture repeatedly points us to the joy and blessings found in giving. While the holiday season brings gratitude to the forefront, it’s important to practice it daily. Whether through time or money, gratitude enables us to experience its full benefits.
Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
The Side Effects of Gratitude
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and Christmas right behind, it is easy to get wrapped up in the busy day-to-day and forget all the things we should be thankful for. Shifting your perspective—like Pastor Tim says, “I don’t have to ___, I get to ___”—helps foster gratitude in everyday moments.
Gratitude has profound benefits:
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Personal Growth: Higher self-esteem, stronger relationships, and reduced anxiety come from recognizing the positives in your life, like having a job, a home, or a meal.
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Spiritual Growth: Gratitude strengthens your connection with God. Praising Him for life’s blessings enhances mindfulness, purpose, and a deeper appreciation of being created in His image.
How are you embracing the positive side effects of gratitude?
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Practicing Gratitude
Want to make gratitude a regular part of your life? Try these practical ideas:
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Brighten Someone’s Day: Buy a little gift, send a small text, write a letter, or send a card to name a few things; but this lets them know that they are appreciated, and it always brightens their day! Who doesn’t like to make someone else feel good?! These simple acts of kindness not only uplift others but also remind you of the joy in giving.
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Start a Gratitude Journal: Reflect on what or who you’re thankful for and why. Dive deep into the moments that moved you. Writing down these reflections can be therapeutic and life-giving. Some people will list some things or people that have made them thankful, some write out more detail – I am the latter. I really like to dive into WHY I am so thankful and grateful for the person, place, or thing. I have laughed when writing my lists, and I have cried – but in all times I have been moved and wanted to give that feeling back to others.
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Spread Kindness: Smile at someone passing by, offer a sincere compliment, or listen attentively to someone’s story. All these things take little to no effort, but can greatly impact someone else’s life, and possibly without you even knowing. Being kind is the best way to show you’re thankful in life.
The more we practice gratitude, the more we open our hearts to Christ’s presence. Allowing Him to guide our hearts according to His will requires staying attuned to the Holy Spirit—and practicing thankfulness is one of the simplest ways to invite peace, joy and purpose into our lives.
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
