Thanksgiving and gratefulness should not be designated to one day a year but rather should be a lifestyle. Gratitude helps to keep us from becoming prideful, arrogant, depressed, and feeling entitled! In addition, Thanksgiving opens the gates of heaven and brings us into God’s presence (Psalm 100:4). In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
In a Sunday morning sermon, Bill Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California, explains that the temple gates in heaven are fashioned from pearls (Revelation 21:21). Pearls develop from an irritation. Therefore, when the trials and irritations of life come, we must remember to be thankful to God in all circumstances, good and bad.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Jesus lived in a posture of gratitude to the Father and modeled a life of thankfulness that invited God’s miraculous presence (John 6:1–14; 11:41). Gratitude is a posture of our heart that recognizes all we are and have comes from a loving Heavenly Father. We thank God for His faithfulness and grace to carry us through every circumstance and promises that He will never leave or forsake us (2 Timothy 2:13; Isaiah 25:1; 40:11, 31; 41:10; 46:4; Exodus 34:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 10:23; 13:5). What a good Heavenly Father we have!
We should always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and the Word of God rather than our circumstances. Start today by thanking God aloud for what He has done and given to you, followed by what He has done over this past year. Thankfulness requires cultivation and will change our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, affecting us and those around us.
When we express our thankfulness to God, our hearts fill with joy and happiness, which is the power of gratitude. We have the resources of heaven at our disposal, and we can shift atmospheres with the power we carry!
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Living the Abundant Life 
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