Thanksgiving, Thanksfeeling and the Glory of God

Thanksgiving, Thanksfeeling and the Glory of God

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. But it's also a time to reflect on the goodness of God and His many blessings. Sometimes, however, we can go through the motions of giving thanks without truly feeling grateful. This is what John Piper calls "thanksfeeling." In this article, we'll explore the difference between thanksfeeling and genuine thanksgiving, and how true gratitude brings glory to God.

Thanksfeeling vs. Genuine Thanksgiving

Thanksfeeling is when we say "thank you" out of obligation or habit, without truly feeling grateful. It's like someone giving you a gift, and you saying "thanks" without really meaning it. This kind of thanks is empty and meaningless because it doesn't come from the heart. Jesus warned against this kind of "vain" worship in Matthew 15:8-9: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me."

Genuine thanksgiving, on the other hand, is an act of the heart's affections. It's not something we can will ourselves to do, but rather something that is awakened within us. When we experience good will towards us, we either feel gratitude or we don't. True gratitude is not just an inference, but an experience.

One example of genuine thanksgiving can be found in Psalm 9:1-2: "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Here we see that the psalmist gives thanks with his whole heart, recounting the wonderful deeds of the Lord and singing praise to His name.

Thanksgiving Brings Glory to God

When we give thanks to God with genuine gratitude, we bring Him glory. In fact, giving thanks is one of the ways we glorify God. Psalm 50:23 says, "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me." Giving thanks is a form of worship that acknowledges God's goodness, faithfulness, and provision.

When we give thanks, we also remind ourselves of God's character and His many blessings. We see this in Psalm 103:2-5: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Here the psalmist reminds himself to bless the Lord and not forget all His benefits, including forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy, and satisfaction.

Furthermore, when we give thanks, we demonstrate our trust in God. We acknowledge that He is in control and that He is working all things for our good. We see this in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." This verse reminds us that even in difficult circumstances, we can give thanks because we trust that God is with us and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Practical Ways to Cultivate Thankfulness

So how can we cultivate genuine thankfulness in our lives? Here are a few practical ways:

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

One way to cultivate thankfulness is to keep a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you're thankful for. They can be big things or small things, but the point is to focus on the positive and cultivate a grateful heart.

2. Practice Mindfulness

Another way to cultivate thankfulness is to practice mindfulness. This means being present in the moment and paying attention to the good things around you. Take a few moments every day to appreciate the beauty of nature, the kindness of others, or the simple pleasures of life.

3. Memorize Scripture

Memorizing Scripture is another way to cultivate thankfulness. Choose a verse or passage that speaks to you and commit it to memory. When you find yourself struggling to give thanks, recite the verse to remind yourself of God's goodness and faithfulness.

4. Serve Others

Serving others is a practical way to demonstrate gratitude and bring glory to God. When we serve others, we show them the love of Christ and reflect His character to the world. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the goodness of God and His many blessings. But it's not just a one-time event; it's a way of life. When we cultivate genuine thankfulness, we bring glory to God and demonstrate our trust in Him. So let's give thanks with our whole hearts, not just our lips, and cultivate a grateful heart that honors God in all things.