“Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:16–17 (ESV)
Thanksgiving Day always has a way of drawing my heart back to gratitude. But this year, as I read Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, I was struck by something deeper. Thanksgiving isn’t just about what happens in our own hearts. It’s about what happens when we share it.
Paul reminds us that gratitude—when kept silent—may be genuine, but it doesn’t build anyone else up. It’s only when we speak our thanks aloud, when we invite others into our joy, that our thanksgiving becomes communal, edifying, and life-changing.
Private Thanksgiving vs. Shared Gratitude
Several years ago, I picked up Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. Inspired by her words, I began journaling the things I was grateful for—small mercies, fleeting joys, everyday blessings. That practice was good for me. It trained my eyes to see God’s gifts in the ordinary.
But here’s the thing: my journal stayed closed. My gratitude remained private. And while it shaped my own heart, it didn’t ripple outward to encourage anyone else.
Contrast that with the times we’ve practiced family thanksgiving share time—around the holiday table or even during nightly dinners. Each person naming one thing they’re thankful for. Those moments, though sometimes simple, were powerful. They knit us together. They reminded us of God’s goodness in ways we might have missed on our own.
Life makes it harder now. My husband’s third-shift schedule and the whirlwind of everyone’s commitments mean those shared moments don’t happen as often. But I still treasure them, because they embody what Paul is talking about in these verses. A thanksgiving that builds up.
The Power of Spoken Gratitude
When I taught at Scarlet Hope, we began our weekly Celebrate Recovery classes with a simple practice: sharing what we were thankful for. Something from the week. Something from that morning.
It never failed to amaze me how those few minutes of spoken gratitude shifted the atmosphere. Hearts opened. Walls came down. People found encouragement in one another’s words. It wasn’t just about saying “thank you” to God. It was about letting others hear it, so they could join in the “Amen.”
That’s the beauty of shared thanksgiving. It edifies, strengthens, and multiplies.
Living Out Paul’s Challenge
So, what does this mean for us today and tomorrow, beyond Thanksgiving Day?
- Speak your gratitude aloud. Journals are wonderful, but don’t stop there. Share what you wrote with your spouse, your children, and your friends.
- Make it a rhythm. Whether at the dinner table, in a small group, or even in a text message, build habits of spoken or written thanksgiving.
- Remember the outsider. Paul’s words remind us that gratitude isn’t just for insiders. When we share our thanks openly, even those on the margins can join in the “Amen.”
Gratitude is contagious. When we voice it, we invite others into the joy of recognizing God’s goodness. In doing so, we bless others and build up the body of Christ.
A Thanksgiving Prayer
Lord, thank You for the countless gifts You pour into our lives. Teach us not only to see them, but to speak them—to share our gratitude so that others may be encouraged. May our thanksgiving be more than private reflection or a one-time event. May it be a daily rhythm of choral “Amens” that strengthens Your people. Amen.
Thanksgiving FAQ: Building Each Other Up
Q: Why is spoken gratitude important at Thanksgiving?
A: Spoken gratitude builds others up by inviting them into shared joy. This strengthens community and faith.
Q: How can families practice shared thanksgiving together?
A: Families can take turns naming blessings at the dinner table, creating a rhythm of encouragement and unity.
Q: What does Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:16–17 show us about thanksgiving?
A: Paul reminds us that gratitude expressed aloud edifies others, allowing them to join in the “Amen.”
Q: How can I make thanksgiving a daily practice, not just a holiday tradition?
A: When you journal things you’re grateful for and share that with your friends, family, or small group members, thanksgiving becomes a life-giving rhythm for you and them.
One response to “How to Build Each Other Up This Thanksgiving”
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