Too Busy to Be Thankful

I can’t believe I’m seeing Christmas trees going up already. I must admit: it gives me a little bit of that humbug feeling. Seeing those trees makes me think of everything I have to do, like make extra purchases for parties and gift exchanges, and be on my best behavior around extended family and people I don’t see very often. The holidays are always a lot of extra work. Sadly, I’ve realized with Thanksgiving coming up this week . . . I’ve forgotten how to be thankful. I’m too busy.

Complaining comes easily. But you need a plan for thankfulness. Being thankful takes intentionality. Included below is encouragement for and examples of biblical gratitude. Read some of these verses to yourself, then pick a few and make time to read them with those you gather with for Thanksgiving.

Exhortations from the Bible to Be Thankful

“And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.“—Deuteronomy 8:10

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”—Psalm 100:4

“And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!”—Psalm 107:22

“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”—Colossians 1:12

“Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”—Colossians 2:7

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

Examples of Thankfulness Shown in the Bible

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.”—Psalm 68:19

“At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.”—Psalm 119:62

“To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”—Daniel 2:23

“And he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.”—Luke 17:16

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“—1 Corinthians 15:58

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”—2 Corinthians 9:15

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service . . .”—1 Timothy 1:12