THANKSGIVING OR GRATITUDE

What is the difference between being thankful and being grateful? We use them interchangeably, but there must be some differences. Well, I just Googled this question and read the first six articles that popped up. Predictably, each article started out with a similar premise to mine. Their intros urged readers to recognize the differences and stop using the words interchangeably. Amusingly, every single article contradicted the other articles! Although they disagreed on which word meant which thing, they all agreed that one was an action but the other was a feeling, one is done to someone else but the other is done to you, and one is casual and temporary, but the other is long lasting and deeply effective.

Which word is an action and which word is a feeling? The answer is that it really doesn’t matter which is which. But it does matter that when we express thankfulness or gratitude we are doing so with our feelings and our actions aligned, which is hard. We can align our attitude to express gratitude to God in prayers, but then take action to complain to our coworkers and friends. Likewise we can serve in the church and try to do things for others while having a bad attitude. The Bible says we need to serve others with a good attitude because by serving others we are serving God (Eph. 6:5-9). I am also reminded of the parable of the two sons in which the one who promised but didn’t follow through on the work was condemned (Mt. 21:28-32). The solution? Continue expressing gratitude by praying thanks and showing God how thankful you are by having a grateful attitude while serving Him.

Which word is directed at you and which word is directed at others? Some say you use one word to reflect on what has been done to you personally and the other is to acknowledge what others have done for you. This is a tricky one and most articles did not make this distinction very clearly, but I’ll try. Basically, it’s like when you thank someone who paid for your dinner. You acknowledge that one person is the source of your enjoyment. In contrast, you are grateful that your milk didn’t spoil so you get to have Cheerios instead of oatmeal for breakfast. You’re happy about a circumstance. The thing is, the Christian should know that God is Sovereign. He takes care of you in the little things as well as in the big things. He takes care of the sparrow just as easily as He places a good friend in your life to pay for your dinner just when you need it. The application of this? Remember to thank God in the little things and consider taking some time to thank the people in your life that deserve some recognition for how they’ve poured into your life (1 Thess. 5:18).

Which word has a temporary effect and which word has a lasting effect? More articles agreed with this one than any other point. Typically thankfulness is viewed as temporary and gratefulness is viewed as life changing. We thank someone for opening a door, but we are grateful that God saved us by His grace. This also seemed a bit trivial to me, because as Christians we are commanded to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:16-18). But, we do need both. Thanking God for the temporary small things can help us come out of anxiety, gossip, anger, and more! Likewise, reflection on the big ways God has worked in our lives and expressing gratitude for His abundant mercies is refreshing and vital to a healthy spiritual life.

After all of this, I’m not sure I agree with any one article, but I do know the Bible is clear that Christians are to be thankful and grateful to God. He has given us so much. May we not take it for granted.

RESOURCE: “Thankful Heart” by Petra

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