This week, many in the United States will gather for Thanksgiving. Across the Atlantic, we may not share the same holiday, yet the moment invites all of us to reflect. Thanksgiving was born as a day to pause, remember and give thanks to God. In recent years, however, the gratitude has often been drowned out by adverts, wish-lists and the rush towards Black Friday. When giving thanks becomes a warm-up for buying more, we lose something vital. Scripture gently calls us back: gratitude is not an accessory to life; it is the life of faith itself (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

What is gratitude?  Gratitude is the humble acknowledgement that every good gift comes from God. It is the language of trust. Gratitude does not deny pain or pretend everything is perfect. Instead, it looks for God’s hand in the midst of real life and says, “You are good, and You are here.” When we thank God, we “magnify” Him. He does not change but He becomes larger in our sight (Psalm 69:30–31). Our focus shifts, our hearts soften and praise rises.

Let us examine some of the reasons why we should be grateful. Gratitude naturally evokes adoration and praise. Thanksgiving flows into worship: “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 7:17). As we remember who God is—faithful, merciful, powerful—our mouths open in praise. A grateful heart does not stay silent for long.

Gratitude also provides an environment for the presence of God to dwell. We cannot control God’s presence, but we can welcome Him. In Luke 17:11–19, ten lepers were healed; only one returned to give thanks. Jesus noticed the difference gratitude makes. He affirmed the man’s faith and spoke peace over him. Thanksgiving is the doorway to deeper encounter; it makes room for God’s nearness.

Another reason to cultivate gratitude is that it changes our perception. Thankfulness may not change our circumstances first, but it changes us. It trains our eyes to see God’s care rather than scarcity or fear. Paul pictures mature believers as “rooted and built up in him… overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:7). Gratitude stabilises the soul and steadies our steps.

Gratitude often gives birth to the miraculous. In the Gospels, thanksgiving frequently precedes God’s power at work. Before feeding the five thousand, Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and then broke them, and there was enough for all (John 6:11). At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus first said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me,” and then called Lazarus out (John 11:41–42). Gratitude is not a formula, but it is the posture that invites God’s action because it acknowledges His sufficiency.

Gratitude also produces joy. The leper who returned to Jesus received more than physical healing; he experienced wholeness and the joy of relationship. As we give thanks “for this meal, this friend, this breath”, our attention shifts to grace, and joy becomes resilient.

Keeping gratitude central in a consumer world can be challenging. If you are marking Thanksgiving, or simply noticing it pass by, consider this: the real celebration is not the table, the sale, or the spend. It is the quiet turning of the heart to God. Consumerism promises joy through getting; the gospel gives joy through thanking. One practical way to resist the pull of consumerism is to begin before you buy. Before any shopping—whether a weekly shop or a sale—pause to thank God for His provision and ask for contentment and wisdom. Practise “enough” by naming the gifts you already have; contentment weakens the pull of endless upgrading.

Let gratitude move you to generosity by looking for someone to bless—a neighbour, a charity, a church ministry—so that you give as you receive. Keep the feast simple, remembering that food, family, and fellowship are good gifts. Protect unhurried conversation and shared prayer, and allow thanksgiving to be the heartbeat of your gatherings rather than the noise of excess.

There are also simple ways to cultivate gratitude every day. Start and end the day with thanks: before you reach for your phone in the morning, name three things you are thankful for, and at night look back over the day and thank God for moments of grace seen and unseen. Give thanks in all seasons, for Scripture calls us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We are not thankful for evil or suffering, but thankful to God within them, trusting His presence and help. When you catch yourself grumbling, turn complaints into prayers. Pause and reframe them: “Lord, I don’t understand this, but thank you that you are with me and will lead me.”

Let gratitude find a voice in your relationships by speaking it aloud. Tell people what you appreciate about them; gratitude strengthens families, friendships, and churches. Sing your thanks, following the Psalms which model thanksgiving in song: “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30–31). And keep a gratitude journal, recording daily evidences of God’s kindness; in hard times, read back and remember how He has carried you.

Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving or simply watching from afar, let this week be a gentle reset. Step away from the noise of buying and step into the quiet strength of thanks. Like the one leper who turned back, be the person who notices grace and returns to Jesus with a loud voice and a full heart (Luke 17:11–19). 

As we do, we discover that gratitude does not remove life’s challenges, but it places them in the light of God’s faithfulness. It renews our vision, deepens our awareness of His presence and releases joy. 

In God’s hands, a grateful heart becomes a seedbed for miracles. May we be rooted and built up in Christ, and may our lives overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7)—for this pleases the Lord more than any offering we could bring (Psalm 69:30–31).