During and after Thanksgiving several weeks ago, I began to notice thanksgiving in places in the Bible where it’s easy to overlook. I jotted down some notes, thinking I might write about this next autumn. But then I thought–why not now? Though we emphasize Thanksgiving in November, we’re supposed to be thankful year-round. Plus, a thankful post now would go along with the theme of thanksgiving in unexpected places.

One such passage was 1 Timothy 2:1-2: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

We understand the need to pray for our authorities. But thanksgiving? Even for the ones I didn’t vote for, the ones whose ideology is opposite mine?*

I understand that Nero was the ruler when Paul wrote this letter to Timothy. How could anyone be thankful for Nero?

I imagine that even a bad dictator is better than total anarchy. The Bible says God “removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21) and “It is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psalm 75:7). Scripture gives numerous examples of God working through rulers who didn’t know Him or follow His ways.

We can be thankful that, no matter who is in charge, God ultimately rules. We can respect someone’s authority even if we can’t respect them personally.

Another unexpected mention of giving thanks is in a passage we normally turn to in anxiety: “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:3b-7).

It’s natural to pray in troubling situations. But when we’re anxious, one of the last things on our minds is thankfulness. Yet we can be thankful that “The Lord is at hand,” He loves us, He knows the best outcome and course of action, and He has the power to answer and keep us. Thanksgiving reminds us how He has answered prayer and delivered us in the past and encourages our faith to trust Him for present and future concerns.

It’s also hard to be thankful when we’re in pain. Pain can become all-absorbing. But David writes, “I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:29-30). David goes on to say in verse 32, “When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.” Thanksgiving revives and encourages us as well as others. Gratefulness acknowledges that God has a purpose even in suffering (Romans 5:1-5).

Another surprising place to see thanksgiving mentioned is Romans 1. Paul details mankind’s downward spiral, resulting in God’s judgment. A lack of thankfulness (verse 21) is listed in the passage along with idolatry, slander, deceit, faithlessness, hatred toward God, and more. Paul’s letter to Timothy lists characteristics of people in the last days, including lack of gratefulness, as well as selfishness, pride, and disobedience (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Is a lack of thankfulness as bad as all those other things? Apparently so.

Thanking God for who He is and what He has done and given is a way to acknowledge that all we have comes from Him. It keeps us from pride and from feeling entitled. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me” (Psalm 50:23).

What a gracious Lord we have. He doesn’t “need” our thanks, though He deserves it. He’s not feeding His ego by desiring our thanks and praise. He wants us to be thankful to encourage us to keep our eyes on Him, to trust Him for all we need, to keep us on track and away from self-dependence or idolatry.

I am reminded and encouraged to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)–not just in November, but every day; not just in good times, but in every situation.

* I am not thinking of specific examples here and don’t want to get into any political debates. I will not publish comments containing political rants.

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)