Give Thanks to the Lord: How to Cultivate Thankfulness in Every Season
In a world full of shifting circumstances and constant change, the biblical invitation to “give thanks to the Lord” resonates with both hope and challenge. It’s found again and again in the Psalms: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His loving-kindness endures forever.” And the New Testament echoes this spirit of gratitude: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
So what does it look like to really give thanks to the Lord — not just as a holiday thought, but as a posture of life? How can you, within your ministry context, family context, or personal walk, live out this command in meaningful ways? Here are three practical angles to explore.
1. Recognize the foundation of gratitude
The call to give thanks is not first about how you feel, but about who God is. In Psalm 107 we read: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Notice the foundation: God’s nature (“He is good”) and God’s steadfast love (“endures forever”). When circumstances are unstable, these attributes stand firm.
In your ministries and family discipleship work, this means you can teach children and help adults anchor their thankfulness in God’s character more than their momentary blessings. Ask: What about God’s goodness do we see even in the hard season? What does “His love endures forever” mean for us when hope feels distant?
2. Express gratitude in all seasons
It’s easy to give thanks when things are going well. But the Scriptures challenge us to go deeper — to give thanks even in trials. The Apostle Paul writing to the church in Thessalonica states: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” We are called to give thanks when we can’t see the whole picture.
Examples of “all seasons”:
In the “celebration” season (birthdays, milestones, answered prayer), give thanks by remembering and verbalizing God’s fidelity.
In the “waiting” or “wilderness” season (unemployment, illness, relational strain), give thanks by acknowledging God’s presence and promises even when visible blessings are absent.
In the “transition” season (children leaving home, ministry shifts, aging), give thanks by revisiting past faithfulness and anticipating new ways God will move.
For families, you might incorporate a “gratitude moment” at the dinner table: a simple phrase like “Tonight we give thanks to the Lord because…” followed by one thing each person names. Over time this teaches young disciples that thankfulness isn’t just for the big things — it shapes the lens through which we see life.
3. Let gratitude deepen disciple-making
When you model giving thanks to the Lord, you aren’t only obeying a command—you’re forming disciples. Thankfulness becomes a spiritual habit and a witness. In your men’s ministry hub, your children’s discipleship work, and your family discipleship tools, gratitude builds the character of a reproducing disciple.
Here’s how:
A disciple who gives thanks under pressure is showing trust in God, not self.
A disciple who publicly says “thanks” inspires others and cultivates a community of gratitude.
A disciple who teaches younger believers how to give thanks is actively living out reproduction: passing the habit of gratitude forward.
For example, you might develop a short weekly segment in your ministry hub: “Gratitude & Mission” — where men share a way they gave thanks this week and how they stepped out to disciple someone. This links gratitude and disciple-making.
4. Practical “thank-you” rhythms
Here are some actionable rhythms you can use:
Morning/Evening reflection: Ask, “What am I thankful for? How did I see God’s goodness today?”
Written gratitude list: Maintain a “Thanks to the Lord” journal or digital note.
Family share time: At mealtime or bedtime, each person gives thanks to the Lord aloud—no matter how small.
Gratitude in adversity: Choose one “hard thing” you’re facing and identify one way you can still thank God in it (e.g., “I’m thankful that God hasn't abandoned me even though I’m waiting”).
Public acknowledgment: In your ministry gatherings, pause and invite people to say “Thanks to the Lord” together as a group response.
5. Why this matters
Our ministry focus is on disciple-making — helping everyone move toward reproduction of faith. Cultivating a habitual posture of giving thanks to the Lord aligns with every stage of the disciple journey:
Submission: Recognizing God’s worth and giving Him thanks builds humility.
Relationship: Gratitude draws you into deeper relationship with the Father.
Service: A thankful heart wants to serve because one has received.
Reproduction: Teaching thankfulness becomes part of passing faith to others.
When we “Give thanks to the Lord,” we shouldn’t think merely of Thanksgiving dinner—but of a daily spiritual discipline that shapes character, fuels faith, and creates momentum for discipleship.
