The spirit of thanksgiving isn’t reserved for a once-a-year celebration observed solely in the United States. No, it’s a universal gratitude act experienced by many faithful followers of God living in many countries.

One of my most cherished realities is God’s gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Whenever I think about this great consciousness, it generates the spirit of thankfulness. I didn’t do anything to earn His grace, yet He brought me into His kingdom, placed me in Christ, and anointed me with the Holy Spirit.

A Heart of Thanksgiving

When the Holy Spirit entered my soul, it transformed my heart from one centered in selfishness to one anchored in thankfulness. This substantial change breeds an attitude of gratitude. For, apart from God, my life becomes engulfed in sin, and the desires of the flesh overtake my being.

Before God saved me, my hardened heart embraced the darkness. My spirit became obsessed with discontentment, never satisfied. I always wanted more and never gave thanks for what I already had. The moment I got something, my spirit searched for more. And the result of the absence of thanksgiving fueled my selfishness.

It brings me joy to share that God softened my heart, and the Holy Spirit encourages me to give thanks. I do my best to show God and Christ gratitude for the spiritual blessings.

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain how the heart of thanksgiving takes over my spirit. My overwhelming joy for God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit leaves me speechless.

Many scriptures show this great reality, but one of my go-to verses is:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)

In these two scriptures, Apostle Paul shows me that through prayer and thankfulness, God’s promise of wisdom in Christ brings me His peace. My gratitude increases when I act upon this message because reliance on Christ overcomes my problems. I discover an inner peace unlike any other, and my trust in God grows stronger.

Here’s something we can agree on. God reveals many opportunities to us, unveiling a heart of thanksgiving. For example, each answered prayer warrants gratitude. Every time we see God responding to our requests, our spirit of thankfulness shows Him our deep appreciation for His incredible holiness.

Food, shelter, and clothing are the introductory provisions God gives us as reasons to thank Him (Matthew 6:33). Our Father doesn’t leave us without those physical survival needs. But when we express gratitude for the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24), our hearts become thankful for these spiritual gifts. For those spiritual virtues are the essence of salvation. They are the blueprint for a life focused on Christ and radiate the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Final Thoughts

Given these points, everything in God’s kingdom is grounds for giving Him thanks, and the Lord notices our thanksgiving spirit. These are a few examples that allow us to thank God. In reality, there are endless reasons to provide Him with gratitude. 

What are your thoughts?