The Bible tells us to give thanks in everything. Having an attitude of gratitude is easier said than done though. When life is hard I struggle to be grateful. How about you? What is your response when life is hard? Today we will look at 38 Bible verses about gratitude to help us cultivate a thankful heart.
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How to Use Bible Verses about Gratitude When Life is Hard
There was a time in my life when most of my words were negative and toxic. I was drowning in bitterness and resentment about a life that had not gone according to plan. It took several years for God to teach me how to forgive the hurts of the past, accept the life He had given me and begin to walk in freedom and gratitude.
Searching out Bible verses about gratitude was a key step in that healing process.
What is Gratitude
Before we look at the specific Bible verses about gratitude it is important to understand what gratitude is.
Gratitude comes from the Greek word “eucharistia” and the Vines Expository Dictionary defines it as:
- To thank freely, to give thanks, to be thankful, thankfulness, to acknowledge fully, to celebrate fully in praise with thanksgiving
Looking at all this word encompasses helps me understand the grateful heart meaning in scripture.
A grateful heart gives thanks freely, celebrates every season with praise, fully acknowledging God’s hand at work in and through it.
Related: 4 Powerful Biblical Examples of How to Give Thanks to God
Gratitude in Scripture
The exact word Gratitude is only found three times in scripture. Though it is only used a few times, gratitude is a theme throughout scripture that we can make a part of our lives.
- Colossians 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
- 1 Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;
- Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe
Because Gratitude is such a difficult characteristic to cultivate I’ve put together a 30-Day Gratitude Challenge for Marriage. This Free gratitude challenge is perfect for you if you are a godly wife striving to grow a healthy godly marriage.
What does the Bible say about showing gratitude?
Even though there are only three true Bible verses about gratitude we know the definition is broader than that one word. The Bible tells us that showing gratitude is about
- giving thanks to God
- being thankful for others
- being thankful for the little things
- finding reasons to be thankful in every season of life
Specifically, the Bible tells us about giving thanks to God in everything.
How Can I Thank God for His Blessings
Being thankful to God is about a heart attitude that chooses to look at God rather than the hard situations in life. When life is hard it is tempting to focus on all of the problems but that causes unnecessary stress. Instead of looking at all of the problems, keep your eyes on God and remember how He’s been faithful in your life.
1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We can thank God when we are waiting on what He’s promised us in the same way Anna the Prophetess did.
Luke 2:38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Related: 5 Simple Ways to Show Gratitude to God
Be Thankful For Who God Is
Often the characteristics of God coincide with the character of God. We serve a God who redeems us and sets us free from the bondage of sin and we can be grateful for that freedom.
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,
We can be thankful for God’s grace.
2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
We can be thankful that God supplies all our needs.
2 Corinthians 9:12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
Incorporate Gratitude Into Our Daily Lives
Not only can we be grateful for who God is, but we can incorporate gratitude and thanksgiving into our daily lives.
- Ephesians 5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Expressing Gratitude in Prayer
Prayer is another way to express gratitude to God. See these Bible verses about gratitude to help you get started to become a prayer warrior.
- John 11:41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
- Ephesians 1:15-16 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
- Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
- 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
Bring a Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving
There is a song I grew up singing that still comes to mind today when I think of Gratitude. “We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord”. These are the verses that song comes from.
Jeremiah 33:11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, “Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting”; and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the Lord. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,’ says the Lord.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Be Grateful for Suffering
The Bible tells us to be thankful even when life is hard. Specifically, we are to be thankful even when suffering comes into our lives.
1 Peter 2:19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
Not only can we be grateful in suffering but we can hold onto Hope and not lose heart when life is hard and we are hard-pressed on every side
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed
BE Thankful for Healing
As a Christian woman who suffers from Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness, I struggle to be thankful in the suffering seasons. Having said that, it helps me to find joy in trials just knowing that we serve a God who heals. So we can be thankful when God heals us, thankful while we are waiting to be healed and thankful if God chooses not to heal.
Luke 17:15-16 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.
All of these situations produce a faith that is beautiful
Giving of Thanks, Thanksgiving
There are many Bible verses about gratitude and giving thanks for God’s provision of Good, gifts, and other blessings.
- Matthew 15:36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
- Matthew 26:27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;
- John 6:23 There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
- Colossians 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Being Thankful For The People Around You
When I think of all the people who showed gratitude in the Bible, Paul comes to mind first. He repeatedly thanks God for the people in his life.
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Thankful to God for His Word
Not only can we be thankful for who God is, what God has done but for the relationship, we can have with God through the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
We can also show gratitude that God gave us the revelations of the word so we could understand what He was talking about (most of the time 😉 )
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
More Bible Verses About Gratitude
The book of Psalms is filled with Bible verses about gratitude, songs about gratitude and thanksgiving. So this is a list of my favorite Psalms of thanksgiving!
- Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.
- Psalm 27:6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
- Psalm 50:14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High;
- Psalm 86:12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.
- Psalm 95:1-2 O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
- Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
- Psalm 105:1-3 Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
- Psalm 107:8-9 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.
In The End, All of Creation Will Thank God
As I searched out Bible verses about gratitude I was overwhelmed with the sense of awe and wonder. We serve a mighty God, a God who is loving, kind, patient and compassionate.
Yes, God is all those things, but He is also the Righteous Judge who sits enthroned over eternity. On that fateful day, He will judge the world. Every knee will bow and worship and Give thanks to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Revelations 4:9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,
Revelations 7:12 saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
The truth is that life is hard in some seasons. I am in the midst of a crazy season right now. Life is hard sometimes, but God is faithful, constant and trustworthy. When Life is hard I can lift my eyes to the Lord who gives me strength for each new day.
Are you in a hard season of life? Which of these Bible verses about gratitude could you write out and use today to find hope in Christ?
I’d love to know any others you like. Would you share those verses in the comments below?
in HIM,
Tiffany
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