HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

God many times in the Bible encourages us to be thankful.  Certainly without question, God deserves our gratitude for many things. 

Not only does God deserve our giving Him thanks, there are some great benefits to those consistently practicing gratitude:  physical, mental, and spiritual,  And God knows all this; no wonder He encourages so often to give thanks!

Physically, scientific research shows that individuals who regularly express gratitude report fewer aches and pains, lower levels of inflammatory hormones, better cardiovascular health, and higher engagement in healthy activities and help-seeking behaviors. These individuals also demonstrate more vitality and emotional stability, and other benefits such as lower heart rates and better immune system function,

Mentally, studies show benefits of gratitude include increased satisfaction with life, reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms, greater optimism, enhanced emotional regulation, and stronger social connections, as well as greater activation in brain regions associated with positive emotion and social behavior.

Spiritually, consistently thanking God, showing Him gratitude for what He has done for you, builds your confidence to trust Him, especially difficult times.  Complaining, blaming, feeling sorry for yourself, and focusing on all the negatives, never builds trust in God for His help. Too often in difficult times, some people end up blaming God, either for the situation they are in, or blame God for not helping them.

BELOW: 
A few of many verses from God’s Word on being thankful, and a video.
Psalm 118:29:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Philippians 4:6 and 7:
Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15-17:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And 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.

Ephesians 5:20:
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:57:
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 2:14:
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.

II Corinthians 9:11:
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

I Thessalonians 5:18:
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Thank Him For His Blessing  (Song written by Lee Russell & Al Rainy)

Thank Him for His blessing
Ev’ry single day,
For He has surely blessed you
In His own quiet way
Thank Him for forgiveness
For the times you’ve gone astray,
Believe and He’ll forgive you
In His own quiet way.

Do this and you’ll find
That when you thank Him you’ll receive
All the good that’s in His heart is yours,
If you’ll only believe.
Thank Him for His blessing,
Don’t forget to pray,
For He has surely blessed you
In His own quiet way.