The Power of Thanksgiving

Did you ever stop to really think about the power of thanksgiving?

The Power of Thanksgiving - Living Proof

A quick online search yielded the following definition of power:

the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

When we live with an attitude of gratitude, we have the power to spread that positivity to others.

Even outside of faith-based circles, there is a push among influencers to intentionally spread positivity with all their posts.  And I agree it absolutely is refreshing to have social media feeds filled with people highlighting their gratitude, rather than a social media feed filled with complaining.  And I would say it is indeed influencing others to do the same.

As Christians, we should practice grateful living that should radiate without the joy of the Lord that is found within.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

so that they may see your good works

 and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

In so doing, the power of thanksgiving - thanksliving will direct unbelievers toward Christ.

The Power of Thanksgiving - In All Circumstances

Give thanks in all circumstances;

 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

The way I've always internalized this verse was that even in trials, I must be thankful to the Lord.  Something that does not come easy, and if I were to be honest, I rarely put into practice...  

I saw this verse at face value, nothing more and nothing less.

But I realized there is so much more to be mined out of this verse - the power of thanksgiving...

Dictionary.com shares the following definition of the word thank...

:a grateful feeling or acknowledgment of a benefit, favor, or the like,

I'm sure you would all agree, this definition pretty much sums up why we say "thank you" or  "thanks".  Usually in response to someone who has complemented us, has helped us out or has offered to help us out, or someone who has given us a gift.

As I pondered the word "thank", I thought more deeply about what it is that the Apostle Paul is implying when he exhorts us to give thanks in all circumstances...

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good

 to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

All circumstances that effect our lives, even fiery trials, have been ordained by God, as a gift, if you will, to show His favor... 

As for you, you meant evil against me, 

but God meant it for good, 

to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, 

as they are today.

Genesis 50:20

Here we see Joseph telling his brothers, who had originally purposed to kill him, but then sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites, that God meant it for good.  

While we are walking a hard road, we too can absolutely know that God's favor has not left us.

Joseph's story beautifully showcases the favor of the Lord when circumstances would have otherwise seemed hopeless.

But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, 

and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

Genesis 39:21

Now his master saw that the LORD was with him 

and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Genesis 39:3

Let that sink in.  No matter what circumstances or trials we find ourselves in,  the Lord will always be with us and will cause all that we do, in His name and for His Glory, to prosper - the power of thanksgiving unleashed.

The Apostle Paul, who is exhorting us to give thanks in ALL circumstances, himself had many, many opportunities to practice what he preaches...

with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.  Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.  Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,[b] in cold and exposure.  And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 

2 Corinthians 11:23b-27

Yet the Apostle Paul's ministry prospered, even while he was in prison chains, because the Lord prospered the work of His hands - the power of thanksgiving unleashed.

We may not have a pivotal mission like the Apostle Paul, and our sufferings may be of a very private nature, but the Lord sees and He knows His Kingdom purposes for having us walk in those circumstances.  The Lord may not prosper our hands to save an entire nation, like Joseph did, but from our own private hurt, He will prosper us to have the words of comfort that will plant seeds which will save one person to Christ...  and the Heaven's will rejoice over - even just one - the power of thanksgiving unleashed...

The Power of Thanksgiving - Expect an Answer

In God's economy, the word thank is a very powerful word which holds promises to be realized.

As we saw from the definition of "thank", and what we know to be true from our own experience, we don't thank someone unless we have received something or know we will be receiving something from someone.

God's Word tells us that when we pray, we are to do so with an attitude of thanksgiving - to thank Him.

We can know then that whatever we ask in prayer, with thanksgiving, we WILL receive an answer from the Lord!  The Lord would not ask us to thank Him if He did not fully intend to answer our prayers.

Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication

 with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2

See that, keeping alert with an attitude of thanksgiving.  There it is!  The promise to be realized!

And so we come full circle with this very familiar verse from 1 Thessalonians 5...

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The Power of Thanksgiving - A Gift from God

God's will for you and for me is to expect much from Him, in all circumstances, and in every prayer.  

For in thankful expectation we receive.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights, 

with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

Give thanks in all circumstances...

The Lord has now opened my eyes to the power of thanksgiving, and that indeed, I can be thankful in ALL circumstances, for God's power is at work in me.

For more posts about prayer please checkout the following by clicking the titles:

Four Powerful Attitudes in Prayer that Yield Results

Boomerang Prayers

Prayer and a Piano

The Assurance of Things Unseen

Careful What You Pray For

Dare to Ask

May we all realize the power of thanksgiving, bringing glory to God.

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