Thanksgiving Ain’t An Option

Maybe it’s just a southern thing, but I was always taught growing up to address my elders with “yes sirs” and “no sirs” and “yes ma’am’s” and “no ma’am’s”. I would be corrected swiftly if I didn’t respond with “please” and “thank you’s”. I was taught to treat people with respect because it’s simply the right thing to do.

Being taught these things always seemed to demand a response from those I was being polite to. If I let someone go ahead of me in line, aren’t they supposed to say thank you? If someone cut me off in the grocery store aisle, aren’t they supposed to say excuse me? If I hold the door for you, aren’t you supposed to at least say thank you?

As I analyze other people’s behaviors, I can’t help but notice my own behavior toward God. Every now and again I find myself throwing an internal fit (sometimes externally as well) when something does not go my way or I do not get what I want, when I want it. I am no different than the snooty person who believes the best things in life should be handed to them on a silver platter at all times.

Many may think we should say thanks to God, as if it is an option. When looking at the Bible, thankfulness is not just an option — it is a command. When we read verses like Psalm 34:1, we think ‘man that is noble and hard decision to thank God at all times — good for the psalmist and anyone who decides to make that decision.’ But when we continue to read through scripture, we will see it is not just a suggestion to give thanks because of southern hospitality, chivalry, or politeness. Thankfulness to God renews our inner-man. It keeps us from idol worship. Thankfulness to God demands our attention be diverted from earthly, temporal treasures, to the one who is worth being treasured — the true gift and treasure giver. This is what allows us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” daily (Psalm 34:8). So this Thanksgiving, let us “thank The Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:8–9).

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 5:20

 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17