The Example of Thankfulness

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you." – Colossians 1:3

When you read Colossians 1, one of the first things you notice is Paul’s tone. Before he gets into instruction, encouragement, or even correction, he starts with thankfulness. He thanks God for the believers in Colossae, for their faith in Christ, and for the love they have for others. Paul’s gratitude isn’t just a quick mention. It’s woven into the way he prays, the way he writes, and the way he relates to people.

Thankfulness shows up all over the Bible. The Psalms are filled with it. Jesus expressed it before feeding the five thousand and even before breaking bread on the night He was betrayed. Paul talks about it repeatedly in his letters, no matter what kind of circumstances he was in. The more you see it, the more you realize that thankfulness is not just a reaction to good things, it’s a posture of the heart.

We often think of thankfulness as something that happens when life is going well. But biblical thankfulness is deeper. It’s not dependent on circumstances. It’s not about pretending that everything is perfect. It’s about recognizing who God is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. It’s a deliberate choice to focus on His goodness instead of our lack.

When we read the Bible and see thankfulness in the lives of those who walked closely with God, it’s not just for our information; it’s for our imitation. Gratitude has a way of changing how we see everything else. It shifts our focus from problems to promises, from frustration to faith, from what’s missing to what’s already been given.

If you want to live more like Jesus, start by living with more gratitude. Let your prayers begin with thanksgiving. Let your words reflect a heart that notices God’s goodness. And let the example of thankfulness in the Bible become the example you live out every day.