As the years have passed, I’ve come to recognize that thankfulness is a deeper spiritual concept than I had initially understood. At first I simply saw thankfulness as gratitude. I remember, in becoming a Christian as a young adult, that I simply transferred gratitude to God for my new-found faith. Back then, my younger self was operating with a one-dimensional perspective. Our faith teaches us that thankfulness is a lifestyle, reflected in our behavior, as highlighted in Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.” Our faithteaches us that thankfulness is a discipline, even in difficult circumstances, as highlighted in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Our faith teaches us that thankfulness is a blessing, bringing comfort, peace and hope, as highlighted in Philippians 4:6:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This Thanksgiving season, I encourage all of us to ponder the depths of the thankfulness we hold through our faith, and ponder the depths of God’s love for the world, as immortalized in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”