As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, I have been reminded again of how the Lord deals with His people. There are many things we associate with Thanksgiving—family gatherings, meals, and time set aside for reflection—but the Bible reveals that thanksgiving is far more than a holiday observance. It is a spiritual action that positions us to receive from God and walk in His plan.
As I was studying and meditating on these things, it became clear to me that many believers overlook the true power of thanksgiving. It is often treated as a natural expression or a polite response to blessings received, but in the Scriptures it is presented as a spiritual action. Thanksgiving is more than appreciation—it is obedience to the Word of God. It is an act of faith that positions the believer to receive and to move forward in the plan of God. Acting on the Word is what brings spiritual progress, and thanksgiving is one of the ways the Bible instructs us to act.
Paul told the church, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thes. 5:18)” The will of God is not something we guess about. It is not hidden from the believer. When the Lord gives us instruction by His Word, He reveals His will. And when we act upon that instruction, it opens the door for Him to move.
THANKSGIVING REQUIRES SPIRITUAL PARTICIPATION
Many people want the blessings of God, but they want them without spiritual participation. They desire spiritual results while remaining in neutral. But God does not move in neutrality. He moves where His Word is acted upon. Thanksgiving is one of the simplest ways to act on the Word, yet one of the most neglected.
When Israel murmured in the wilderness, it was not simply complaining; it was spiritual rebellion. It shut the door to God’s plan and opened the door to the enemy. Thanksgiving does the opposite. It closes the door to the devil’s influence and opens the door to the Spirit of God. It invites the Lord to take His place in our situation.
David understood this. He said, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. (Psalm 100:4)” Thanksgiving is not a feeling; it is the entrance. It is how we approach God correctly. It is how we maintain spiritual sensitivity and discernment. A thankful heart stays tender before the Lord. An unthankful one grows dull and resistant.
THANKSGIVING AND THE PLAN OF GOD
God’s plan for your life is fulfilled through steps of obedience. Thanksgiving is one of those steps. Many people pray for guidance and direction, but they remain in a state of spiritual agitation because they have not cultivated the atmosphere where the Spirit of God can speak. A thankful heart is a receptive heart.
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they did not know how God would deliver them, but they began to pray and sing praises unto God. Their thanksgiving did not come after the answer—it came before. And the Lord moved in response to their faith. Thanksgiving is an expression of faith before the manifestation is seen. It acknowledges God’s presence and power in the midst of difficulty. It aligns us with Heaven’s reality rather than the natural one.
THANKSGIVING AND YOUR WORDS
The Lord often deals with His people about their words. Many people sabotage their own faith by speaking contrary to God’s Word. Thanksgiving helps guard our speech. It keeps the believer from drifting into murmuring, complaining, and speaking the problem instead of the answer.
Jesus taught that faith works by believing in the heart and speaking with the mouth. Thanksgiving is faith’s voice. When we thank God for His goodness, mercy, provision, and faithfulness, we are not pretending the circumstance does not exist; we are acknowledging that God is greater than the circumstance. That is the position of victory.
A THANKFUL HEART KEEPS YOU IN THE FLOW OF THE SPIRIT
The Lord desires to lead His people by His Spirit. A thankful heart helps maintain that leadership. It keeps you stirred up spiritually. It helps you recognize the direction of the Lord. It guards you from the deception and discouragement the enemy tries to bring.
This Thanksgiving season, I encourage you to take time to examine your heart. Are you in the flow of thanksgiving? Are your words aligned with the Word of God? Have you allowed the pressures of life to pull you into complaining or frustration?
Begin now to thank God for His goodness. Thank Him for His mercy. Thank Him for His provision. Thank Him for His guidance. Thank Him for His faithfulness in the past and His plan for your future. As you do, the Spirit of God will minister to you, strengthen you, and prepare you for the days ahead.
The Lord is always faithful to His Word. Thanksgiving opens the door for Him to work in your life in a greater measure.
May the Lord bless you and your family during this Thanksgiving season.
