Most of us feel displeasure for unappreciative people. One of the first things we teach our kids is to say “please” and “thank you.” We want them to show respect to others who do things for them. We want them to notice and appreciate the things that people do for them. We get frustrated with adults that seem not to have learned this lesson.

People will prepare a special meal, plan a party, find a special gift especially suited for that person, or some other unexpected show of appreciation only to be met with a mumbled “thanks,” or, worse yet, no thanks at all. It especially disturbs us when we go out of our way to do something special for someone and they act as if we owed them or that what we did was no big deal. I do not think that it is praise that we want; we want other people to recognize and appreciate the effort that others and we do for them. Does God get frustrated with us?

I wonder sometimes if it disturbs God when He blesses us with so many special blessings and we fail to notice or thank Him for them. Sometimes we do not express the common courtesy to God that we do with people with whom we associate.

Thanksgiving should characterize our life. It should be a natural part of our personality to notice what others do for us and give thanks. It means much to the person who serves us at the restaurant or from whom we buy services; yes it is their job to do this but we should show the appreciation that we would like if we were in their position. We may start to realize just how much others do for us if we look for opportunities to thank others for their consideration and efforts.

It should characterize our homes. Spouses should thank each other often for the things they do for one another. Thank your spouse for being married to you and putting up with you. Thank your spouse for the work they do around the house, or the work that brings in income for the house. Thank them for coming home to you at night and not going out to bars or participating in behavior that would endanger the marriage. Do not forget the common courtesies; thanking them when they refill your tea glass, when they pass the biscuits, when they get your door…

Parents should teach their children by example and thank them for things they do and, sometimes, for being themselves. Thank them for being good children and point out something in particular that they do well. Thank them for the drawings, crafts, and other things they make for you.

Children, especially, should thank their parents often. They sacrifice much for their children. They provide opportunities for entertainment, personal development, and recreation. They provide spiritual opportunities and, hopefully, instill Bible-based lessons for living. Thank your mom or dad each time they make food for you. Thank them for letting you participate in sports, take music or art lessons, or get involved in school activities. Thank them for bringing you to church services and teaching you about God and trying to help you understand how to be a decent person.

Some people have problems with giving thanks.

Perhaps they are not really thankful. Some have an exalted self-perception and do not think that they need God and that they owe no thanks to Him. Some are dissatisfied with the way their life turned out but cannot see the good things that they can thank God for. These people moan and gripe that things are not going their way. These people cannot see the good for their self-imposed misery. Those who are thankful have a sense of gratitude for what God has done and wonderment as to why He is concerned about them.

Some people are forgetful. Some make supplication to God but forget to thank Him for His blessings. Luke 17:11-19 records the story of ten lepers healed by Jesus but only one returned to Jesus to give him thanks.

How can we become more thankful?

Reflect on God’s influence in your life.

  • Sacrifice of Jesus – without His sacrifice and shed blood we would have no hope for eternal life
  • Doctrine of Christ – teaches us by word and example how Jesus lived and how we should live in the world; we are given wisdom freely.
  • Church – The influence of godly brethren may be a great blessing that we forget to thank God for.

Consider how you have been blesssed. People are often fond of asking, “why me?” Usually we ask, “Why am I sick, being laid off work, or having financial problems.” We do not usually ask

  • “Why was I born into a country with many great freedoms including the freedom to assemble and worship God as I should?”
  • “Why was I born into a family or blessed with friends who taught me the gospel?”
  • “Why me? Why do I live in a country with the best medical treatment available so that I do not suffer many chronic illnesses and am able, if I listen to the doctor, to live a long, healthy life?”
  • “Why was I born in a city that is not in constant turmoil from warring parties trying to destroy each other? Why do I go to bed at night without the sound of gunshots and bombs exploding outside?”
  • “Why am I able to read when 861 million people (2/3 of which are women) cannot read?”
  • “Why am I able to ask, ‘what’s for dinner?’ when millions in the world have no food to eat?”
  • “Why do I have a Bible, translated into my native language, that I can own when, for many centuries Bibles were only kept by the elite scholars and very wealthy people?”
  • There are many more things that we could ask, “why me,” but these are sufficient to remind us that we are far more blessed than we could possibly imagine.

Make thankfulness part of your daily prayers
According to Philippians 4:6-7 thanksgiving should be part of your daily prayers. Notice that thanksgiving  is linked with supplication—appealing to God to grant a request. We should not be afraid to bring our requests to God but we must remember to thank Him for listing, for His wisdom in answering, and for the answer we receive.

According to Colossians 2:2 we are to be vigilant in prayer (implies diligence and watchfulness) with thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving in prayer should not be occasional nor should we need to be reminded to thank God. We should constantly be aware of the blessings that surround us and give thanks to God for them.