Christ: Our True Reason For Thanksgiving

In the Christian church, we give thanks to God every day through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our true reason for thanksgiving, for Christ has won the victory over sin and death and the power of the devil. By His cross and resurrection, He has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Now this is something to give thanks for! What a relief to our conscience, what freedom to our soul, what joy to our heart! Now we do not have to worry about the things that trouble us most, but instead we can live a life of thanksgiving. Because of Christ and what He has done for us, we can have genuine gratitude in our hearts every day, every moment, even in tough times.

Giving Thanks In All Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us to

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I recently had the chance to test this for myself. This last winter, from November to January, I was plagued with a terrible series of illnesses that included pneumonia, COVID, and panic attacks from not being able to breathe. During this time, I was able to reflect more fully on the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and how He chose to suffer for us. I will never look on His time on the cross the same, and for this I am eternally grateful.

The Gift Of Slowing Down

Colossians 3:15 reminds us

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

I also realized that being sick was forcing me to slow down. I was able to spend time contemplating Christ’s birth at Christmas, as I was too sick to bake, write Christmas cards, or even buy presents. I am so grateful for that gift of time.

How Gratitude Transforms The Body And Mind

Actively practicing thankfulness rewires the brain to lower stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and boost happiness. Gratitude enhances resilience, strengthens relationships, improves sleep, and reduces physical pain, directly impacting physical and mental health.

Key Benefits Of Gratitude

• Lowers cortisol
• Calms the body’s fight‑or‑flight response
• Decreases depression and anxiety
• Reduces headaches, muscle pain, and improves cardiac functioning

Simple Ways To Practice Gratitude

• Keep a gratitude journal
• Write gratitude letters
• Say “thank you” more often to family members

Our church needs healthy workers. Lutheran Family Service knows the importance of proactive wellness and encourages church workers to prioritize mental health just as much as physical health. We have years of experience serving church workers in LCMS congregations and schools. If your congregation, yourself, or a church worker you know would benefit from the support of Lutheran Family Service, refer to or contact us today.

• Call: 515-573-3138
• Email: [email protected]
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