Since the beginning of the year, I have been preaching through Paul’s letter of 1 Thessalonians. We’ve been taking a pretty deep dive, and examining Paul’s instructions and encouragement in detail. In doing so, I have been struck by the frequency of the concept of thankfulness found in this short letter. It might not be too much of a stretch to say that the notion of gratitude is an underlying theme throughout.

Gratitude is so much more than just a polite “thank you” or a warm feeling after receiving a gift. In the spiritual life, gratitude is a spiritual discipline necessary for transformation. It’s a mindset and an attitude. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians offers a powerful example of how gratitude and thankfulness are not only central to our daily lives, but also an essential ingredient for deep and lasting spiritual growth.

In the first two chapters of Paul’s letter, he expresses an overflowing thankfulness for the Thessalonian believers. And his words are not just warm wishes or a pleasant courtesy. He provides a theological lens through which he interprets their faith and transformation. As I have studied this letter, I have found at least four reasons why gratitude is critical for our spiritual formation.

Gratitude Recognized God’s Work In Our Lives

From the very beginning of the letter, Paul begins to build a firm foundation of thankfulness. His very first sentence states, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thess. 1:2). Paul doesn’t thank the Thessalonian believers for being amazing in themselves; he thanks God for what he is doing in them. In doing so, his gratitude acknowledges God’s activity in our lives. You and I are nothing in ourselves, but in every way shaped by God. Recognizing this develops humility and trust, and deepens our reliance upon him for every need.

Gratitude, then, becomes an exercise in spiritual sight. It develops our ability to see God’s fingerprints on every circumstance we face, on every event that occurs, and on every person we interact with. When we live in a mindset of thankfulness, we are reminded that we are not alone, and that the growth we experience is the fruit of God’s work in our lives.

Gratitude Strengthens Our Faith And Encourages Endurance

In the same thought, Paul adds another reason for thankfulness. He says that he is “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3). Paul is not only thankful for their faith, but for the way their faith results in action — in work, in labor, and in endurance. These were not actions that the Thessalonians developed in easy comfort; they were being persecuted for their faith in Christ. Paul knows this, and is thankful that they are persevering.

Gratitude helps to keep us anchored when the storms of life come. When we thank God in the midst of our suffering, we make a declaration that he is still good, that he is still present, and that he is still at work, even if the circumstances suggest otherwise. This perspective builds resilience, helping us to press on.

Thankfulness reframes our pain. It does not deny suffering; it adds a layer of meaning to it. When we can be thankful even in the darkest moments, we’re not giving up… we’re growing up.

Gratitude Builds Christ-Centered Community

In the next chapter, Paul expresses his affection to the Thessalonian believers: “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8).

Being thankful fosters connection. Paul’s expression of thankfulness isn’t just a random statement, or an abstract thought. It’s relational. His love and appreciation resulted in a shared life and a shared mission. When we live with grateful hearts, we become more open, more generous, and more connected.

Maintaining an attitude of gratitude prevents comparison and competition. It replaces envy with celebration. In a community built upon Christ, gratitude becomes the glue that binds believers together in love, encouragement, and purpose. It fosters an environment of honor and appreciation, and we all grow together.

And perhaps most importantly, when we’re thankful for one another, we build each other up. Gratitude is encouraging, and it is contagious. It spreads through all of our relationships.

Gratitude Keeps The Focus On God’s Faithfulness

While thankfulness is a recurring theme in this letter, so is God’s faithfulness. Paul recognizes that the spiritual fruit the Thessalonian believers are developing has been initiated by God. He thanks God for choosing them (1 Thess. 1:4), for the work of the gospel in their lives (1 Thess. 1:5), and for the way they have become an example worth imitating (1 Thess. 1:7). And in chapter 2, he thanks God again. “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” (1 Thess. 2:13).

Gratitude helps us to remember. It points us back to God’s consistent goodness and his active presence in our lives. In a world that often seems chaotic and discouraging, thankfulness reminds us that God is not finished. He’s still speaking to us. He’s still working on us. He’s still transforming us to look more like him.

To cultivate a heart of gratitude is to train ourselves to look for God in all things. When we do, we’re more lined up with his purpose for our lives, and we’re ready to grow.

How To Live A Life Of Gratitude

If thankfulness is so critically important, then how do we learn to practice it regularly? I can think of a few suggestions to begin with. First, start with prayer. Paul thanked God for his work in his own life and in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. Who can you thank God for right now? Second, keep a journal. If you’re like me, if I neglect to write things down, they don’t stay in my mind for very long. A journal helps me reflect upon God’s good works in my life and provides countless opportunities to express thankfulness. Third, be an encouragement to others. Express your thankfulness for others to them. Tell them how you see God at work in their lives. Be specific. And fourth, reflect on Scripture. Passages like these in 1 Thessalonians can serve as constant reminders of God’s faithfulness and our reasons to be thankful.

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. Growth is cultivated in the soil of trust, hope, and gratitude. Being thankful keeps us anchored close to God, and helps us to see things more in line with the way he sees them. If you want to grow deeper in your walk with Christ, begin with a thankful heart. Not only will you see God more clearly… you’ll become more like him.

Question: Do you think people would describe you as a grateful person? If not, what might you need to do to become more thankful? You can leave a comment by clicking here.