A while back I wrote a post about how when we’re in the thick of life, it can be hard to appreciate all of the amazing blessings that we’ve been given.
In that post I told the story of a virtuoso violinist who stood in the subway playing one of the most intricately written concertos, flawlessly, only to have it go mostly unnoticed.
Sometimes we don’t even recognize the blessings for what they are, instead just taking things for granted. While the context of where the violinist played, in the subway, certainly is important, I still think the story speaks to how we sometimes don’t even see or appreciate the blessings God has put right in front of our face.
Today I thought I would look at some verses in the Bible where people chose to give praise, thanksgiving and appreciation to God the creator, both for the big and small things in life – even in the midst of strife.
By giving thanks it helps to give us a new appreciation for just how blessed we truly are, even in the worst of circumstances.
Bible Verses Of Thanksgiving And Appreciation
As Christians we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, and that alone should be reason enough to give praise and thanks. But there are so many reasons to give thanks, so let’s praise him continually, in good times and bad!
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28
Our salvation in Jesus Christ is one of the biggest reasons to be thankful, and to praise God. Once we accept Him we are a part of the unshakeable kingdom.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Giving thanks in hard times can be so hard to do, but I’ve found that when I do it has the effect of changing my heart and my outlook. By giving thanks God gives us hope and a new light of hope.
The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted! 2 Samuel 22:47
God is alive and present in our lives, and gives us a strong foundation for all that we do. He is the rock and foundation of our faith, and should be praised!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
We should give thanks to the Lord, for his righteous nature and because of His strong enduring love for us, despite our ugly sinful natures.
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
God has done so much for us. We should give thanks and praise to Him, and tell others about all the great things he has done, and can do for them as well.
I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30
I think far too often when we talk to God it’s all about us, what we want, what our troubles are. We would all be so much better off if we were to spend more time praising God, thanking him for his goodness and love.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. Psalm 100:4
The Psalmist time and again offers praise and thanksgiving to God for the things he has done. We should do the same!
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4
As Christians we are to avoid all sorts of immorality, greed and a host of other sins. There should be no filthy or silly talk, or coarse jesting, but instead we should give thanks to God and to others.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
We are victorious in Him, and through his sacrifice for us on the cross!
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
When we become Christians we are told to be constantly in His word, strengthening our relationship with Him and to be overflowing with thankfulness for the things he Has done.
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
Time and again in the Bible it tells us how we’re to be thankful, and how this is a trait of someone with Christ in their hearts.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12
Christ gives us strength, and loved us when we were unlovable. He wants to use us, as broken human beings, to reach others for Him. We should be thankful for His favor when we didn’t deserve it.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
God blesses us so that we can give and bless others – and so that they will see God’s goodness and give thanks.
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4
Without Christ Jesus and his saving grace, we would be lost.
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. Colossians 3:17
We should give thanks in all things, and at all times to God the father through Christ Jesus. He has given us all we have and saved us from our sin. Giving thanks is the least we can do!
Check out our other posts in the series:
- The Power Of Saying Thank You To Improve Your Life
- 10 Bible Verses About Contentment: How Can We Feel Contentment In A Restless World?
- Bible Verses About Money
- Bible Verses About Prayer
- Bible Verses about Strength In Hard Times
- Bible Verses of Encouragement
- 8 More Bible Verses About Money
- Bible Verses About Hope
Have your own favorite verses of thanksgiving, praise and appreciation of God our father? Tell us your favorites in the comments!
Thanks Peter for this! I literally had someone say to me yesterday that they have been struggling with contentment and thanksgiving. I sent this along to him!
God has blessed more than I ever deserve. These are great verses to memorize for those times when I know I am not thankful!
Thank God for his wonderful Word!
You Lord are all I have and you give me everything I need. My Life is in your hands. Ps16: 5-6.
YES I agree with you . God is so powerful and great.
Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.
Last night I was in our small group for our church and we talked about being thankful. It goes to the root of any bitterness we may have against God, people, or just random circumstances. When we stop to be thankful, we’re recognizing that we have no reason to complain, and it makes the difficulties in our lives not affect us so much.
Thanks for this great reminder Peter.
I feel good when I give to help someone in need and then thank God for helping me to do it. These verses really encourage and help me to realize how i take for granted even the small blessings in life. May God help us to see His love and faithfulness in our lives and be thankful for it. God bless
Here is my favorite:
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)
The last several weeks, my wife and I have been watching the Ken Burns film “The War,” a documentary of World War II. When you maintain a historical perspective and realize what horrors most people have endured in the past, and what some people have to endure in the world today, you can’t help but be grateful for all the blessings God has given us. The Bataan Death March… The Holocaust… What have I EVER had to complain about?
Great list, Peter! Definitely something to read and reflect on this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday. I have countless blessings to be thankful for. Not a day goes by that I do not reflect upon how thankful I am for everything I have been given, or about where those blessings come from…but having a special day to make being thankful the focus is something that I truly cherish. Thank you for the list of wonderful verses, Peter!
Thanks peter, what a word!
2Samuel 24 vs 24, I will not give God what does not cost me!
Let us give thanks to The Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for all mankind. Psalm 107:15 NIV
Always enjoy when you roll out this post Peter – this is really where our focus ought to be! Thank YOU
As I am Christian and follower of Jesus Christ , I would like to give praise to Him and worship Him in good time and bad !!
Be blessed
I need supernatural knowledge from God
God bless you!
Im real changed in my heart when i read the verses that restores my faith,trust.i praise the lord father for saving me since from my 2012
Thank God for he is good
God is almighty so we hope in god
Glory to God for u brother Peter for u have challenged me so very much! I thought only in richness not poverty, healthy conditions not sick one can only thank God. But today I have known even in a midst of strife, I have to.
I have really been losing sleep over small things such as home repairs, bills etc. I know this isn;t what i should focus on, but being human, i suppose it happens. I want to be at peace and allow the Lord to take care of it all.
I am very much happy knowing that God gives life to redeem the word even who you are.
This is a very powerful and wonderfully packed message
Very simple and easy to understand.
Glory to God
Thank you for you’re article is Amazing I appreciate
Thank for remaining us to give thanks and appreciate what God has done for us, too many times we has Christians complains and murmured abut what we want instead of thanking God for what He had provided for our needs. Little is much when God is in it.