I never knew the meaning behind the word “thankful” until I ran across the following.  Throughout God’s Word we are told to always give thanks to Him.  As I learned about the word “thank,” I found “gratitude” is the disposition with thanksgiving its natural expression. We must put thought into our prayers when we are giving Him thanks, for the very word “thank” is related to the word “think.”

“The word thank is derived from the Old English thanc, meaning thought, Thank, therefore is related to think.  This is most fitting since there must be some thought before one can offer proper thanks.  Giving thanks is the fruit of a thoughtful (and grateful) heart.  Gratitude is the disposition; thanksgiving is its natural expression.  Thankfulness, because it brings the mind and heart together, is an articulation of the whole person.  Moreover, it disposes the person to express his thanks in sundry other virtuous ways, through generosity, patience, fidelity, and so on.  Perhaps this helps us to understand why Cicero held that a thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues”   ~ De Marco

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”   (I Thessalonians 5:18)

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”       (Ephesians 5:20)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”   (James 1:17)

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”    (Philippians 4:6)

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”   (Colossians 3:15)

“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”   (Psalms 30:12)

These and many other Scriptures in God’s Word teach us to always be grateful to Him for all we have, for without Him we would have nothing.  More importantly, thank Him for the gift of His only Son who died  in our stead, that we may have the hope of eternal life.

As I write these words, I have never said it before, but will now.  I write to admonish myself as anyone else and give my Father in heaven thanks for all who read these words.

Thank you!

“God gave us a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say Thank You?”     ~ Ward

Eileen Light