{"id":7071677,"date":"2026-10-01T18:09:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T18:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7071677"},"modified":"2026-10-01T18:09:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T18:09:18","slug":"how-to-practice-biblical-gratitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7071677","title":{"rendered":"How to Practice Biblical Gratitude\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I blinked back tears at the tragic news\u2013a faithful believer lost his wife and daughter in a horrific car accident. <\/strong>As the congregation prayed for the grieving widower and father, he responded, \u201cThank you, Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does that sort of faith stun you, too? A faith rooted in God that, despite overwhelming grief and physical pain, found expression in biblical gratitude. In this article, we\u2019ll explore how we can practice gratitude, as well.<\/p>\n

What is Biblical Gratitude?<\/h2>\n

The Hebrew and Greek words used to communicate the concept of thankfulness in the Bible enrich our understanding of this key faith component. Consider the following:<\/p>\n

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  • Todah<\/em>, one Hebrew word translated thanksgiving, conveys the idea of praise as sacrifice. Included in many Psalms, it is also linked to surrender.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    • Zamar<\/em>, another word associated with biblical thanksgiving, means to \u201ccelebrate in song and music.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      • The third word, yadah<\/em>, means \u201cto give thanks, to praise, to confess\u201d\u2014especially with one\u2019s hands extended in worship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        The themes of gratitude and thanksgiving introduced in the original Hebrew text extend into the New Testament with words like eucharistia<\/em> and doxa<\/em>. Derived from two root words, meaning \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cforgiven\u201d, eucharistia<\/em> carries the idea of thanking the Lord for His goodness toward us\u2014not the least of which are His favor and forgiveness.<\/p>\n

        A second Greek word used 167 times in the New Testament, doxa<\/em> conveys one\u2019s view or judgment of God as worthy of praise, honor, and glory.<\/p>\n

        The Challenge of Practicing Gratitude<\/h2>\n

        At times, gratitude flows unhindered. Life and thanks intertwine in a dance marked by laughter. Togetherness. Beauty. In other seasons? Struggle and heartache accompany mothering, and we struggle to offer a prayer. A word of praise.<\/p>\n

        But biblical gratitude is not about how we feel. Instead, it is a way of life for the believer.<\/strong> A discipline in which we grow. A faith practice that strengthens us when circumstances attempt to rattle our faith.<\/p>\n

        As we learned from the terms mentioned in the previous section, thanksgiving requires sacrifice. Psalm 51:17 (AMPC) reminds us,<\/p>\n

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        \u201cMy sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

        Concepts of Biblical Gratitude<\/h2>\n

        The Bible helps us understand the broader concepts of Biblical gratitude which I\u2019ve distill into three categories.<\/p>\n

        1. Recognition<\/h3>\n

        Colossians 3:15 encourages the believer to \u201clet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.\u201d In this instance, \u201cthankful\u201d is derived from eucharistos.<\/p>\n

        As women who love the Lord, we recognize Jesus\u2019 gift of forgiveness in our lives. Because of His unmerited favor and bountiful love, we live with the hope of an eternity with Jesus.<\/p>\n

        2. Choice<\/h3>\n

        Employing the same root words as the previous verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 exhorts the Christian to \u201cgive thanks in all circumstances.\u201d Don\u2019t misconstrue this verse to mean \u201cgive thanks for all circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Instead, we choose to express thanks that exists outside of temporal circumstance, outlook, or experience. We know\u00a0\u201cthat in all things God works for the good\u00a0of those who love him.\u201d (Romans 8:28 NIV) Our \u2018good\u2019 is an incomparable, heavenly inheritance.<\/p>\n

        3. Worship<\/h3>\n

        The author of Hebrews 12:28 (NIV) wrote, <\/p>\n

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        \u201cTherefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,\u00a0let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

        A heart focused on the Lord exalts Him with the knowledge that even if the worst happens, we remain in His watchful care.\u00a0<\/p>\n

        People in the Bible and Practicing Thankfulness<\/h2>\n

        Many stories of men and women in the Bible provide wonderful examples of how we might practice gratitude. Like us, they experienced the ups and downs of life and offer insight as we seek to glorify the Father.<\/p>\n

        1. The Healed Leper<\/h3>\n

        Luke 17 (NIV) relates the story of ten lepers who cried out for healing as Jesus entered their village. Christ commanded them to present themselves to the priests and, as they walked, the men received healing.<\/p>\n

        Only one leper\u2014free of the cursed disease\u2014returned to thank Jesus. Verse 15 shares, \u201cOne of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Like the healed Samaritan, we practice gratitude when we testify of His goodness to others and spend time at the feet of Jesus.<\/p>\n

        2. Hannah<\/h3>\n

        A woman who longed to hold a baby in her aching arms, Hannah knew the pain of infertility. During a pilgrimage to the temple, she prayed God would answer the cry of her heart\u2014promising to give the child back to Him.<\/p>\n

        When Samuel\u2014Hannah\u2019s son\u2013reached an appropriate age, she returned to the priest and presented her child. From that point on, Hannah\u2019s firstborn served God. Samuel 2 records Hannah\u2019s prayer of praise and thanksgiving.<\/p>\n

        Hannah teaches us to praise God even as we surrender that which we most love.<\/p>\n

        3. David<\/h3>\n

        Known as \u201ca man after God\u2019s own heart\u201d (1 Samuel 13:14), King David penned Psalms of thanksgiving, confession, and lament. Some were forged in the aftermath of loss while others relayed favorable circumstances. No matter the situation, though, David praised God. We, too, can emulate David\u2019s example and express gratitude through the
        words of scripture or our own.<\/p>\n

        Five Practical Ways to Express Gratitude to the Lord<\/h2>\n
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        • Share your testimony about God\u2019s goodness in your life with those He brings into your circle of influence.<\/li>\n
        • Read Hannah\u2019s prayer of praise for inspiration. Now, write one of your own.<\/li>\n
        • Meditate on such Psalms as Psalm 34, 38, 100, 145, 146, 148, or 150.<\/li>\n
        • Keep a prayer journal throughout the year. At the end of the year, highlight each answered request. Then, write a prayer of thanksgiving.<\/li>\n
        • Make a daily appointment to spend 5-15 minutes alone with Jesus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Practicing Christian gratitude in the day-to-day may not be easy. <\/strong>Life brims with busy. Dishes and dust demand our attention. Soccer practice and ballet performances squeeze the schedule. But when challenges arise, we\u2019ll remain anchored in praise because He remains constant. <\/p>\n

          In those moments we\u2019ll agree with the man who said, \u201cThank you, Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

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          Tammy Kennington is an author, podcaster, and dually certified life and mental health coach with a heart for helping women find healing through Christ. With firsthand insight into the challenges of trauma, mental health struggles, and parenting through hard seasons, Tammy gently guides others toward hope and restoration through inner healing prayer.<\/p>\n

          Whether encouraging the weary or nurturing faith in the young and young at heart, Tammy\u2019s passion is pointing people back to the unshakable love of Jesus.<\/p>\n

          Connect with her on Substack, or tune in to her podcast, From Hardship to Hope, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n