‘Mummy why do you always tell us to be thankful?”
I got this question from my little one the other day and got me thinking. Admittedly we talk about being grateful but I have never sat my children down to explain to them why. I found myself searching through scripture to see the stories that talk about gratitude and thanksgiving.
This how I got inspiration to write about gratitude.
I will cover the following:
- Short bible verses about gratitude
- Bible stories about thanksgiving and gratitude
Short bible verses about gratitude
Here are 14 short bible verses about gratitude
(1) 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(2) Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
(3) Philippians 4:12
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
(4) Luke 17:15-16
“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.”
(5) Psalm 118:24
“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
(6) Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
(7) Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
(8) Psalm 7:17
“I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”
(9) Psalm 9:1
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
(10) Psalm 69:30
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”
(11) Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
(12) Matthew 6:21
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
(13) James 1:2-3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
(14) Psalm 95:2
“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”
(15) 2 Corinthians 4:15
“For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.”
Bible Stories About Thanksgiving and Gratitude
Here are 2 bible stories about thanksgiving and gratitude.
1. Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy –Luke 17:11-19
The story of the ten men with leprosy talks about how Jesus healed the men but only one man came back to tell Jesus thank you. how these men on seeing Jesus cried and asked him to heal them. Jesus cleansed and healed them of the disease but only one man came back to say thank you.
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you received favor and forgot to say thank you?
2. Job’s Gratitude Even in Suffering – Job 19: 7-27
The story of Job’s long suffering and his faithfulness despite his tribulations is great story to draw lessons of gratitude from.
Job was thankful and remained faithful despite his suffering. He believed that God would not forsake him and that in the end He will stand for him.
7 “If I cry out concerning wrong, I am not heard.
If I cry aloud, there is no justice.
8 He has fenced up my way, so that I cannot pass;
And He has set darkness in my paths.
9 He has stripped me of my glory,
And taken the crown from my head.
10 He breaks me down on every side,
And I am gone;
My hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 He has also kindled His wrath against me,
And He counts me as one of His enemies.
12 His troops come together
And build up their road against me;
They encamp all around my tent.
13 “He has removed my brothers far from me,
And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 My relatives have failed,
And my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
Count me as a stranger;
I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call my servant, but he gives no answer;
I beg him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife,
And I am repulsive to the children of my own body.
18 Even young children despise me;
I arise, and they speak against me.
19 All my close friends abhor me,
And those whom I love have turned against me.
20 My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh,
And I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 “Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends,
For the hand of God has struck me!
22 Why do you persecute me as God does,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 “Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Conclusion; Be grateful in all circumstances
How many times do we find ourselves complaining about things that are not working for us? We often look at things not working and forget to be grateful for the goodness of God in our lives.
Whatever your situation, be thankful. God wants us to be content and grateful. That way you will have peace and contentment and God will bless you even more.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Paul says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12
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