Truths to ponder as thanksgiving approaches

Here is an idea: giving thanks is a form of praise.  When you thank a loved one or a friend for something they have said or done you are praising them.

As Thanksgiving Day draws closer, most everyone is making plans--especially around culinary preparations. We plan for who to invite—and if we cannot have dinner at home, the quandary is where and with whom our celebration can be enjoyed. The very thought of baked turkey with cranberry sauce can make one salivate. We feel it in our souls; our bodies get involved through feasting.  While around the table with loved ones or close friends our hearts are warmed, especially when we think it being a day set apart for giving thanks.

Many of us think of 1621 as being the year when Thanksgiving was first celebrated in America with Native Americans—for the harvest and other blessings of the year. Yet, the proclamation for setting aside an annual day of Thanksgiving Day was made by George Washington in 1789.

It reads. “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor--and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” Every fourth Thursday of November has since been identified as Thanksgiving Day for our nation.”

Giving thanks is indeed an act of praise. In today’s world one might ask, “Why praise God?” Several reasons come to mind. For one, God has given us this great and exceedingly beautiful place to live here on Earth, along with the very breath we breathe. When we open our minds to it, we can grasp with amazement each morning when we open our eyes perceiving again how the laws of nature continue to work--preserving our lasting stay. Although many of us feel self-sufficient, it is for sure we are not the ones who perpetually make our lives here on Earth happen. It is our Creator who does that!

The second reason for often expressing thanks is because uplifting our souls in praise to God carries great returns. Living a life of thanksgiving changes us. We see this happening vividly through individuals whose lives are recorded in Scripture.  An excellent example can be seen in King David of ancient Israel. History shows this king praised God vocally and copiously as a way of living—and a way of winning battles. There was something wondrous going on between him and God. It was the validity of King David’s praise, his quest to ubiquitously be in thanksgiving, which increased the power that flowed within his life. No one can doubt God was with this king making sure his successes. And, although David was very human, he had joyous times with God.

King David, who started out as a shepherd boy—before becoming appointed and anointed as Israel’s king--seemed far ahead of most humans in understanding eternal truths. Speaking of God, he proclaimed, “His praise will continually be in my mouth.” Then, Paul, who was the most outstanding man of power and insight of the New Testament said, “Praise God in all things . . . be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” (Ephesians 5:19). Praise—all the time be able to praise—was one of his amazing messages.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote, “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” Without any doubt, we can know that offering praise with thankful hearts increases the joy we experience in life—and our successes.  

Science is bearing out the wisdom of God found in Scripture, which should not be surprising. My friend Eugene Wiesner, clinical psychologist and former professor at Montana State University, taught that compliance with the scriptures on offering praise and rejoicing brings a chemical change in our bodies. He taught this not only promotes cellular healing but alleviates both physical pain and mental distress. During his practice, Dr. Wiesner said 40 percent of the people he treated were suffering with psychological disorders. Others needed therapy for fears, grief and guilt. He addressed the latter problems with what he called “God’s psychology,” telling patients to “sing the Psalms and rejoice in everyday living—through the hard times as well as the easy.” This psychologist’s premise was simple: “When people believe what God’s Word says, and obey it, they get well!” It is certain that through offering praise and gratitude, we are strengthened, able to transcend the hardest of all disappointments and difficulties of life.

It is interesting how different God has made His people to be. Like light bulbs, some have greater capacity for wattage. Some receive a surge of power, cast a great beam, then blow out quickly. Others exude a bright, long-lasting inner light—while many gently burn like a soft flame with a low glow having no noticeable variance. God needs us all. And He does not have favorites. The secret is to seek, through our spiritual practices, to be filled with as much light as we can bear. For clearly, it is light that vanquishes darkness.

How do we get the utmost measure of light? It is through praise. The word “praise” appears 306 times throughout Scripture, 134 of which are direct requests to do it. Why? Because “God inhabits (dwells in) the praise of His people,” (Psalms 22:3). The light of Christ expands in us as we speak words of gratitude for God’s goodness in our lives.

Through praise and worship of God Almighty we enter into union with Him, connecting with the most powerful, loving presence of all in the universe. Imagine it! And live it.