Reframing gratitude in the month of thanks

The month of November has proven to be a trend-setter in gratitude over the last several years.  With Thanksgiving coming, I’ve noticed the annual arrival of ideas on how we can be thankful this entire month.  30 days of gratitude challenges.  A daily gratitude post on social media.  Gratitude journaling.  Making a list of things you are thankful for. There are numerous gratitude practices out there to redirect you into a season of thankfulness. 

I believe that many of these practices are good and helpful. But, they can also feel like a sudden blast of pressure. Did you start that challenge? Are you practicing it daily?   You might feel like you missed out if you didn’t jump on the gratitude train at the beginning of the month. Now, we are rounding the corner into Thanksgiving and you are wondering if you really are grateful.  But, is that true of you?  Those external practices are beneficial but only if they are practiced from the heart, not out of pressure to perform or fit into societal expectations.

As believers, God calls us to be people who give thanks all the time, not just one month out of the year. Our hearts should overflow with gratitude as we reflect on who He is and what He has done for us.

Repeatedly throughout the Psalms, we hear the psalmist giving thanks to God for His name, His character, and what He has done for them.  Even more specific, the psalmist frequently thanks God for his goodness and his steadfast love.  How has God’s goodness been shown to you?  In what ways have you experienced his steadfast love?   Take notice and turn those moments into a prayer of thanks.

I’ve noticed with some gratitude practices, we can be hyper focused on thankfulness for material things.  While I’m grateful that God is my provider, I’m also keenly aware that the tangible things will pass away.  They are momentary and fleeting.  I’m able to give thanks for food before a meal because I know it will be consumed within moments and I’ll find myself returning to the table again. The hunger will return and I will no longer be satisfied.

But the intangible things of the kingdom of God are lasting and therefore, gratitude for them is satisfying and has a lasting effect. What are some of those intangible things?

The love of God.  His love endures forever.

Grace.  You can receive it anew every morning.

Forgiveness.  It’s extended to me over and over again.

Relationships.  The people that you love and love you.  It’s where God’s love is made complete.  

Peace. He is the Prince of Peace who offers it to us in abundance. 

Beauty of creation.  All around you, creation sings His glory. His beauty reflected in every aspect of creation, including His people: the Imago Dei.

His Word.  It’s unchanging, unfailing and always speaking.

Instead of feeling shamed or pressured into the gratitude “required” of you this month, choose to follow where He might be prompting you.  Would it benefit you to cultivate a grateful heart throughout the entire year?  Are you caught up in saying thank you for tangible items but are missing thanks for the unmeasurable gifts?  What aspect of His nature and character are you most thankful for in this specific season of your life?  

One of my favorite Psalms to read and reflect on God’s character and what He has done for me is Psalm 103.  Prayerfully read through a portion of this passage and see what jumps out at you.  Then, turn that into a prayer of gratitude to our unchanging God.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

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.

The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,

his acts to the people of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.