Thanksgiving: A Practice that Nurtures Our Faith

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and as we prepare to celebrate it, we start remembering

the countless blessings our merciful and loving God gave us, even when we were not worthy of them. It is appropriate for us to take a moment and reflect on the significance of gratitude in our lives. Gratitude has an incredible power to transform our hearts and cast away our fears. It helps us to see beyond our difficulties and focus on God's mercy and goodness. At VPS, we work hard to nurture this grateful attitude among our students, emphasizing the importance of being thankful at all times, even during the darkest times. We believe gratitude can guide us through the most challenging situations, which is why Thanksgiving, a holiday loved by most, holds great spiritual significance for many of us.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, urged them to "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV). This teaching encourages us to express gratitude at all times. To be grateful in times of abundance, victory, difficulty, shortage, and struggle. We must recognize that God's merciful nature is always worthy of praise and thanksgiving. Giving thanks is not simply acknowledging the good things in life but an answer to God's faithfulness and provision. Therefore, the Thanksgiving celebration presents us the opportunity to reflect on the blessings we have received and gives us thanks to God, the one to whom we owe all we have received throughout the year. When we give thanks, we boost our faith, and it helps us see beyond our struggles and problems and let us show God that we trust Him. Thanksgiving gives us hope!

As we celebrate, let’s remember the deep connection between gratitude, grace, and our faith. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness for God's unworthy favors, and may we, as a community, continue to express our gratitude towards each other. By doing so, we stand for the Christian values that make our faith grow.