The worst moment for an atheist comes when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.
Thanksgiving is not just one day a year; it is the theme song of the Christian. For a Christian not to be thankful is like a dog not wagging his tail at his owner’s approach.
Thankful Christians walk around grateful for every breath, every sunset, every new morning, every color in the color spectrum, and every star in the sky. Like an alcoholic who is clean and sober, noticing beauty and taste for the first time, we are grateful just to be alive because we have been dead for so long.
It’s hard to think of one vice that the virtue of thankfulness cannot render useless. One does not need to steal when one is thankful. A man does not covet his neighbor’s wife when he is thankful for his own. No one craves more when he is grateful for what he has.
In the same way, a thankful heart cancels out pride and arrogance. No need to judge other people when you are thankful for who you are. No need to measure yourself by and compare yourself to others when you are thankful for what God has done in your life. No need to keep anyone out of the kingdom of God when you know you don’t deserve to get in. (God can let in anyone He wants. I am simply glad to be counted among the saved.)
You don’t care if you get the important seat at the table when you are overcome with gratitude at simply being invited to the dinner. You don’t put heavy weights on other people’s shoulders when you are thankful that God has lightened your own load. You are not obsessed with what other people think of you when you are overwhelmed with the fact that God is thinking about you all the time. You don’t demand respect when you are thankful for your place. You don’t have to hide your own sin when you are already thankful for God’s forgiveness. You don’t have to protect your image when you are already number one with God. You don’t have to condemn other people’s blindness when it’s only the grace of God that has allowed you to see. You don’t have to try for the highest place when you are already grateful for whatever place you were given. You don’t have to make a show of spirituality when you are thankful for having received the Spirit. You don’t have to clothe yourself in holy robes when you have been already clothed in righteousness. (Or as a friend of mine used to say, “Why be cute when you’re already beautiful?”) You don’t have to be full of yourself when you are thankful that God has filled you up with Himself.
Not only do we have a lot to be thankful for, our thankfulness can accomplish much.
John Fischer The Catch 
That is so powerful. It brought me to my knees. Thanks!
Amen! I had clued in to the fact that gratitude cured or prevented covetous, but I hadn’t made the connection that it takes care of pretty much any other sin, too! Gratitude and grace must come from the same root word somewhere down the line. At least they seem to work together to complete the circuit. Thank you, Jesus, for John Fischer and his family!
Wow! did that ever come at a time when my heart was open to seeing the depth of what gratitude does. I will practice this with a joyful and grateful heart. Thankfulness was part of my life but it needs to be all of my life. This message will be archived and referred to on a regular basis as I lead a life of thankfulness.
Thank you for writing this John. Thank you for continuing the fischtank, it is a huge blessing in my life. Every morning your thoughts are a part of my daily time spent with God. Your relationship with God is contagious and authentic to the point of tears of joy…my tears. Thank you for doing God’s work. The Holy Spirit touches my heart through your words!
Peter
Today’s message is a KEEPER! Thanks so much! As a person who has over 11 years sober, I AM GRATEFUL! Sincerely, Kathleen
John – I have to disagree here a bit – your opening statement – I have to ask, how do you know that? I think everyone on the planet regardless what their beliefs are can be thankful! I am not a Christian, but I am really thankful that you send out The Catch everyday. I am thankful, that I have friends who care about me, and the list goes on. I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving and I try to be thankful every day…
Point well taken. This was actually a quote and I forgot from whom.
JWF, God bless you! Really interesting text. God is the Lord of ALL. We are not controlled by any kind of “destiny” or anything but God causes us all to be thankful and to give thanks whether we want to believe in Him or not. He is and was and always will be. I do think that is the way it is. He is the lover of mankind and by His very nature has created us all in His likeness – how can there be anyone who is not thankful for something. I think it is wonderful to have the perspective of Kathy Willis and John Fischer. I also am thankful that you send out this medium to the public.
Lots has happened in my life that might suggest there is not much to be thankful for, knowing you is not one of the them, good sir. There is really only one thing that makes everything fit together for me and for that I can not be anything but thankful.