10 Scriptures to Prepare Your Heart for Thanksgiving
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Thanksgiving isn’t the only time to thank God for all He has done and is doing, but it is a special time to prime the heart for remembering all the ways God is so good. It’s easy to let November slip away and move beyond the season of thanks. But maybe this year will be different. I want to offer you 10 verses that can help you prepare your heart for thanksgiving, but also carry you through the year by reminding you to give thanks even in the off season.
While we could make our list of blessings, our prayer of thanks, or think of the people who have made a difference in our lives this year, there is no greater place to begin with thanksgiving than in God’s Word.
Feel free to print this list of verses to help your heart remember to be thankful all year long.
1. Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Anxiety might be one of the biggest things that detracts us from a heart of thanks. When the heart is full of concern, uneasy feelings, and worry about the future, it is difficult to hash through the struggle to see all we have to be thankful for. Perhaps this is one of the reasons the Bible reminds us to first not be anxious about anything, for then the heart is prepared for giving thanks.
2. Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
Until the heart is surrendered to the Savior, offering up praise and thanks will be difficult. But when the heart fully and completely trusts in the Lord, it’s well conditioned to lift and magnify God. This is when the heart sings, the mind is free, and life feels better. When we trust the Lord in all things, we recognize Him helping us through all things.
3. Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Jesus spoke often during His time on earth. His words were filled with wisdom and teaching rich enough to heal the sick, mend the broken, cast out the demons, and fill the empty soul. We now have the Bible as a record and resource to encourage and teach each other. Living daily in the Word is one of the best ways to prime the heart for deep thanks. God’s Word will convict, instruct, and encourage even when times are tough.
4. Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.”
Here in the Old Testament book of Lamentations we find a nugget of truth tucked into a book full of grief. The beautiful reminder we hold is that even in the darkest of times, even in the hardest of circumstances, God’s love doesn’t stop. His faithfulness doesn’t pause. Every single day we wake up, there is fresh mercy ready to be received. So we say, “Thank you, Lord!”
5. Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
God’s purpose always prevails. It’s a promise that we can praise Him as we look back and ahead. We can know that no matter what happens, God is good. His goodness doesn’t run out. His plan is always right. His ways are perfect.
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Sometimes it is difficult to thank the Lord. I think of the sicknesses that have no cure, the broken families that seem to have no hope, the painful division in our world. How do we give thanks even then? It’s not that we thank God for the pain, the hurting, or the evil. But when we walk through the valley, and God meets us there, then and only then will we understand what it means to give thanks in all things. Because this is when we experience God carrying us through. Even in the valley, in the dark, and through the devastating, He is faithful. And for that, we can give thanks.
7. Hebrews 13:15
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
The Bible tells us there is a name above every other name (Philippians 2:9). When we simply lift up the name of Jesus and give Him praise, we prepare our hearts for practicing giving thanks. I love the word we find here in Hebrews 13:15: “continually.” This implies a constant offering; it is followed by spoken praise. So right now as we prepare our hearts to offer thanks, speak aloud the praise you want to offer God. And keep on praising Him with your mouth.
8. James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
No matter what this season holds for you, there is one thing that never changes. God, the Father always offers goodness to His children. Life might not always feel good. There might be days, weeks, months, and years that feel difficult, but God offers His peace even through change and great challenges. God does not change. Even when life does, He stays same.
9. 1 Chronicles 16:8
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
This verse beautifully culminates a few of the principles we’ve seen in other verses. First, it calls for offering up thanks. Second, it instructs to call on the Lord’s name. And third, it gives the clear direction to share with others specifics about what God is doing. By following this formula, the heart will be encouraged in both the one giving thanks and those hearing the praise.
10. 1 Chronicles 16:34
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
The eternal love of God is the foundation of all thanksgiving. It leads a sinner’s heart to repent. It gives a lost soul a reason to live found. It encourages a broken spirit to move beyond the pain and find the promises of God. No matter what season of life you find yourself in this year, there is much to be thankful for. Let God’s Word remind your heart of the hope we hold. And give thanks, for the Lord truly is so, so good.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/natalie_board
Micah Maddox is a wife, mama, friend, Bible teacher, and author of a James: Tired, Tested, Torn, and Full of Faith. You can find encouraging resources FREE HERE! Micah is passionate about helping women learn what it truly means to daily walk with Jesus. She is on the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 Writing Team and writes for Encouragement From Women. Her main ministry is at home with her husband, Rob, who leads worship at Clear Springs Baptist Church in East Tennessee, and with her five children, some by birth, and some by adoption. Micah's heart for her local church is what fuels her desire to keep writing, teaching, and serving. Micah loves to give a voice to hurting hearts and writes and speaks to the one who needs encouragement. You can connect with her on Instagram or micahmaddox.com.