By Robert J. Tamasy
With the end of another calendar year fast approaching, that means it is time for the annual Thanksgiving celebration observed in some parts of the world. Thanksgiving is observed in October and November in Canada, the United States, Liberia, Saint Lucia, and unofficially in nations like Brazil, Germany, and the Australian territory of Norfolk Island. While it is good to have a specific day designated for giving thanks and feeling grateful for blessings we have received, there is no reason we cannot feel and express thankfulness every day of the year. No matter what our circumstances might be, there is always something deserving of our gratitude.
As I have grown older, I have realized how tenuous life is, Having open heart surgery in 2006 helped me to understand that. Now when I wake up each day, I like to review the assurance of Psalm 118:24 that, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Every day is a gift from God, whether we are confronting an exciting day at work – or a challenging one; relaxing on a weekend day; preparing to attend a worship service; or embarking on a much-anticipated vacation.
Think about it: If we know a difficult day at work is ahead, we can be thankful that we have a job, are in an important leadership position, or own a business. If we have encountered an unexpected setback – such as the loss of an important sale or contract – we can be thankful for future successes if we persevere.
For me, I can be thankful for a marriage of more than 50 years that has endured a rollercoaster of ups and downs; children and grandchildren that I love and who love me; a fulfilling career as a writer and editor that has far-exceeded my greatest expectations; even something as simple as a beating heart.
Most of all, I am thankful for God saving me from a life that could have been a trainwreck, not only giving me the assurance of a life that will not end – “…so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13) – but also giving me a life now that is truly abundant, as Jesus promised in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
In a world that keeps telling us that we need more and more, that too much is never enough, we can be thankful that having a relationship with the Lord enables us to recognize that there is more to this life than just material things. Here are a few things the Scriptures tell us about thankfulness and being thankful:
Being thankful for everything. It is easy to be thankful when things in our lives are going well, but not as easy when hardship and adversity come. But often through those difficult times come our greatest and most profound lessons in life. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Being thankful we can pray for our needs. When things seem beyond our control, we can be thankful that we can turn to the God who is in control. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Being thankful for who God is. As followers of Christ, our hope is in the unchanging character and constancy of God. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5).
© 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- When you hear the words “thankful” or “thanksgiving,” what comes to mind?
- What are some things you can think of immediately for which you are thankful? Explain why you are grateful for them.
- How easy is it for you to feel and express thankfulness? When facing difficult times, how can you feel and act genuinely thankful? How can we, as one man wrote, say “Thank you” when we do not feel thankful?
- Sometimes we hear people say things like “I am thankful” or “I am blessed,” but they do not express to whom – or what – they are thankful. How about you – who are you thankful to, and why?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Psalm 95:1-2, 107:19-22, 116:17-18; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; 1 Timothy 2:1-6, 4:4
Challenge for This Week
Regardless of whether a day of thanksgiving is being observed where you live, you still can have your own “Thanksgiving Day.” This week review the past week, the past month, the past year, or even further back than that, and recall things for which you are thankful. Even times of adversity and struggle that in retrospect proved to be a blessing.
It might be helpful to share your thoughts and expressions of thankfulness with others – a good friend, someone who is advising or mentoring you, or a small group you meet with on a regular basis.
