Overflowing with Thankfulness

The Transforming Power of Christian Gratitude

QUESTION: Is there a difference between gratitude and thanksgiving—and if so, does it make any difference in our health?

ANSWER: This is the perfect question for the month of Thanksgiving. In our book Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices for a Healthier, Happier You, Dr. Phil Bishop and I included a chapter called “Develop an Attitude of Gratitude.” Here’s an updated adaptation:

Gratitude and thanksgiving together are one of the sweetest pathways to physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. These, “four wheels” of health were demonstrated by Jesus (Luke 2:52) and keeping them inflated and balanced helps us have a smoother, safer, and longer road in life.

Gratitude is an internal mindset of contentment and appreciation for life, independent of circumstance.

Thanksgiving is the outward expression of gratitude—acknowledging blessings received through words, actions, or celebrations like Thanksgiving. In essence, gratitude a state of being; thanksgiving is its communication.

Gratitude and thanksgiving together are one of the sweetest pathways to physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health.

One Thanksgiving, my wife and I joined a small circle of friends around the dinner table after our meal. Ellen, a guest away from her family that year, suggested a tradition her family practiced every year, “We go around in a circle,” she said, “and share one thing we’re grateful for. Each person only says one thing, but we keep going until we run out.” I thought to myself, That won’t last long. But I was wrong.

The circle began: one person expressed gratitude for a new family to share the holiday with; another for a meaningful job; another for pumpkin pie and ice cream; another for a warm home. Round after round we continued until nearly an hour minutes had passed. Laughter and tears filled the room. As we cleared the dishes, the entire mood had shifted—lighter, joyful, even worshipful.

That exercise reflected Scripture’s truth: gratitude spilling into thanksgiving shapes our mood, strengthens relationships, and becomes witness to the world.

Gratitude and Thanksgiving in the Bible

Gratitude is not just about positive thinking and giving thanks is not mere politeness—both are central to our Christian growth and health, not optional extras. The Psalms overflow with thanksgiving:

• Psalm 7:17: “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 9:1: “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
• Psalm 92:1: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
• Psalm 100:4: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”
• Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
• Psalm 138:1: “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise.”

Scripture presents gratitude and thanksgiving not as optional but essential. The Apostle Paul commands believers to continually practice gratitude and thanksgiving:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Colossians 3:15–17: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … and be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly … singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

From beginning to end, Scripture presents gratitude and thanksgiving as unavoidable outcomes of a life centered on Christ and His word.

Indeed, one mark of Christian maturity is a life that, as Paul puts it, is “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Healthy Disciplines

G.K. Chesterton famously said, “The critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” Gratitude is appreciation, while thanksgiving requires intention. These spiritual disciplines train our hearts to see God’s hand at work and foster thankfulness both toward God and others.

Research affirms this biblical truth. Studies show that gratitude and thanksgiving reduce stress, improve relationships, build resilience, and even promote physical health. Christians understand why: gratitude reorients us to the Giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), while thanksgiving focuses our hearts on others. Both are not incidental—they are forms of worship.

One patient who struggled with negativity kept a gratitude journal for two weeks, listing five blessings each day. She reported: “I still have bad days, but when I remember God’s goodness and thank Him and others, I feel lighter. On days I forget, my bad attitude takes over.” Her experience mirrors Scripture’s wisdom: gratitude lifts us from despair to hope, and thanksgiving turns our focus outward to others.

Gratitude and Thankfulness in Suffering

The most radical aspect of Christian gratitude and thanksgiving is their extension even into suffering. Paul, writing from prison, urged believers, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6).

Gratitude and thanksgiving amid hardship doesn’t minimize trials or torments—it magnifies trust in God. Romans 5:1-4 reminds us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Gratitude in trials means trusting God to redeem pain for His glory and our growth and then thanking him for the tempest.

Many Christians look back on their hardest seasons and see how struggles became soil where faith deepened, compassion grew, and Christ’s presence became most real. Gratitude counts blessings and embraces God’s goodness even in loss and waiting—then thanksgiving expresses that truth to Him and others.

Practicing a Life of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

If gratitude and thanksgiving are vital, how can believers incorporate these disciplines into daily life? Here are practical steps:

• Start a Gratitude Journal. Each evening, write down five blessings from your day, then pray giving thanks for them.
• Give Thanks in Prayer. Before presenting requests to God, thank Him for who He is and what He has done.
• Express Gratitude Aloud. Regularly thank family, friends, and fellow believers. Verbal thanksgiving strengthens the body of Christ and witnesses hope.
• Reframe Challenges. When facing trials, ask, “How can I thank God in this situation?” Gratitude shifts perspective and confirms God’s nearness.
• Worship Through Gratitude and Thanksgiving. Let songs of praise and prayers of thanks be daily rhythms—not just Sunday practices. Gratitude is private devotion and public witness.

Living with Gratitude that Overflows with Thankfulness

In the end, gratitude is more than a spiritual exercise—it becomes a way of life for those rooted in Christ. Highly grateful Christians become highly thankful Christians:

• Grateful to God for daily provisions—and thankful for them.
• Grateful to God for trials shaping us—and thankful for His work in us.
• Grateful for the fellowship of the saints—and thankful for pastors and churches encouraging us.
• Above all, grateful for the saving grace of Jesus Christ—and thankful to Abba Father daily for this immeasurable gift.

When Paul commands us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) he isn’t denying pain. He invites us to a deeper reality: gratitude anchored in Christ Himself that overflows as thanksgiving.

So this year, I pray that Thanksgiving will not be just another holiday; but rather a day of celebratory overflow from an attitude of gratitude that can shape our worship, sustain us in trials, and radiate the light of Christ into a weary world.

Let us demonstrate to family and friends this Thanksgiving our grateful lives overflowing with thankfulness. In gratitude and thanksgiving, we can glorify God on this most Thankful of days and bear witness to the goodness of our Savior.

Sidebar Box #1: Five Biblical Benefits of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

• Strengthens Faith: Gratitude reminds us of God’s faithfulness and deepens trust, bursting into thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6–7).
• Replaces Worry with Peace: Thanksgiving in prayer leads to God’s peace guarding our hearts (Philippians 4:6–7).
• Increases Joy: Gratitude shifts focus from glitches to God’s goodness, cultivating joy (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
• Builds Resilience: Thankfulness roots us in purpose and hope, even in suffering (Romans 5:3–5).
• Magnifies Worship: Gratitude naturally overflows into heartfelt worship (Psalm 100:4).

This article is excerpted from Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices for a Healthier, Happier You, authored by Dr. Walt and Dr. Phil Bishop, published by Harvest House, © 2019, used with permission.