by Emily Wooten
There is a difference in being thankful and giving thanks. Being thankful is the internal feeling or emotion of gratitude, while giving thanks is the external action of expressing that gratitude. Being thankful is the feeling itself, whereas giving thanks is the act of voicing it through words, actions, or praise. It isn’t enough to be grateful we are called to give thanks.
Paul left us this encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
We can learn from David’s example of praise in
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
In Jesus’ example when he was raising Lazarus from the dead he said, in John 11:41, ” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”
That is three witnesses who showed us by example, we need too show our thanksgiving by expressing it out loud.
Don’t know how to start? Try this from Psalms 100:1-2, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 95:1-2 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.