Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (NIV) This verse reminds us to always give God thanks. We know we should thank Him because he is God. But I also wonder what are the benefits of giving thanks? In this post, I’ll share with you 8 of my favorite benefits of giving thanks to God.
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What is the Importance of Giving Thanks to God?
We know we should give thanks to God, but I often wonder why. Why is it important to thank Him? Why do we need to give God thanks for everything?
The first reason we should thank God is that He deserves it. God has created everything in the world. His goodness and his greatness are beyond what our tiny little brains can understand. And even though we don’t deserve it, He made a way, through Jesus’ sacrifice for us to live forever with Him.
Another reason we should thank God is what it does for us. Inside of every person, there’s a need to connect with our creator. We were literally made to praise and thank God! When we stop giving thanks to God, we are more likely to sin. We lose sight of what’s right and wrong. Being thankful to God is good for us too!
How Can We Express Our Thanks to God?
Now that we know the importance of giving thanks to God, let’s talk about the best ways to show thankfulness to Him.
Prayer is the first way many people think of when thanking God. Singing songs of praise and worship is another great way to show our thanks to Him. Spending time in worship, whether on your own, or with a church family, shows God how truly thankful we are.
There are a few more ways to express thankfulness for all God has done. How we treat others as Christians is a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ. Being a joyful giver is also a great way to show thanks for all God has given us.
One of my favorite ways to give God thanks is by trusting Him and submitting to His will in my life. Allowing someone else to take the wheel of my life isn’t easy for me, at ALL! But I know it needs to happen. So, by continually renewing my trust in God, I’m also showing my thanks for all He has done.
8 Benefits of Giving Thanks and Praise to God
We’ve talked about the importance of giving thanks, along with several ideas to show thanks to Him. Now, let’s talk about the benefits of being thankful to God. Here are 8 beautiful benefits of giving thanks to God.
Giving Thanks is Obeying God
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Being thankful no matter what is an act of direct obedience to God. This simple act is a great way to show our thankfulness to Him.
Giving Thanks Brings us Closer to God
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15. This verse explains the peace of Christ that we have when we are thankful and draw close to Him. It also talks about the one body, which is the church. By being thankful, and working with other believers, we are drawn closer to Christ.
Giving Thanks Keeps us Humble
Being thankful also keeps us humble. There’s something about giving thanks that reminds us we can’t do it all, no matter how hard we try. Psalm 25:9 says it well, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
Humility puts us in the right place with God. When our hearts are in the right place, then our attitudes and actions will follow. Giving thanks to God is only natural when we remain humble.
Giving Thanks Helps us Stay Positive
Being thankful also helps us stay positive. Just try it! It’s pretty hard to wallow in your difficulties when you’re opening practicing thankfulness.
Romans 12:12 reminds us to, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Remaining joyful in hope reminds us to stay positive in life. If we remain thankful to God, our hearts can’t help but stay positive.
Giving Thanks Gives us Peace
Being thankful to God also brings us peace. Whenever my life starts swirling out of control, the quickest method I know to find peace is through prayer. While sipping my coffee, I spend a little time reading the Bible and in prayer. My prayers always start with praise and thanksgiving.
Colossians 3:15 tells us to, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” By giving thanks, and continually renewing our relationship with God, we are also ready to accept His peace.
Giving Thanks Leads to Joy
Colossians 1:12 says, “…and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people…” Being thankful also helps us find peace.
One of Jesus’ names is Prince of Peace. That name means He is the definition of peace, and peace brings us joy. By giving our thanks and praise to Him, we’re surrendering ourselves to the joy that can only be found in Christ.
Giving Thanks Defeats Satan’s Lies
If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, then Satan is the Prince of Lies. He uses these lies to deceive us and make us weak. When we are deceived and weak, we’re much less likely to trust God. And that’s when we forget to be thankful.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing
does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless,” Psalms 84:11. Whenever we walk in God’s path, we are blameless in His sight. Being thankful is another way to walk in God’s path.
When we walk with God and give Him thanks, we defy the lies the Devil tells each of us. Being thankful cancels out every lie he tells us. By thanking God, we defeat any power Satan has in this world.
Giving Thanks is a Testimony of Faith
Giving thanks is a testimony of our faith. When the world turns upside down, and life seems more wrong than right, if we can still give thanks to God, then we are a testimony to what He has done for us. We are a testimony to how He has worked in our lives.
How have you shown thankfulness even when your life was torn apart? Feel free to leave a comment or share this post if you think it will help someone you know. And be sure to subscribe if you want access to all of our Bible Study resources.
Blessings,
