The Power of “Thank You”

By Steve Backlund

We have just celebrated Thanksgiving here in the USA. This is a blog that speaks into the importance of what this day is about. The content is from my book, Victorious Mindsets. Enjoy. 

Recently, I sensed the Lord say to me, “Steve, the two most important words in the world are THANK YOU.” What do you think about that? Did I hear right?

The Bible says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4). A gate represents an entry into a different realm, experience, or season. Whether it is entering into joy, healthier relationships, greater miracles, peace, or a specific promise given to us, we begin to access these through thanksgiving. Psalms 100:4 tells us that whenever we are preparing for a new level in life or ministry, we can accelerate things by radically increasing our thanksgiving to God and to the people in our lives. 

Jesus also stressed the importance of thanksgiving. Once, when He healed ten lepers and only one came back to give thanks, He asked, “Where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17). Thankfulness reveals to God (and to discerning people) that the appreciative one is ready to be entrusted with more of the abundance and glory of the kingdom. 

Abundant gratefulness is a sign of a flourishing soul. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). Those who regularly say “thank you” have their eyes focused outward and upward (healthy focus) rather than inward (unhealthy focus). Prioritizing thanksgiving will help increase our inner health. 

Thanksgiving also increases our faith level concerning life’s uncertainties and God’s promises. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are instructed to not worry, but to pray “with thanksgiving” about anything in which we are tempted to be anxious. As we do, we will experience “peace that passes understanding”. This peace comes from a deep faith that has been established by thanksgiving. Even if circumstances have not changed, thankfulness will alter our perspective (from doubt to faith). We can take the viewpoint even higher by giving thanks concerning things prayed for in the past. As we do, we will come to the place of being fully convinced (like Abraham) and see God’s promise manifest before our eyes. 

What are the two most important words in the world? I say they are “Thank you.” Let’s increase thankfulness and see doors open, faith increase and our souls get healthier. Amen!

And as a closing note, we are thankful for our Igniting Hope family around the world. Your encouragement and hunger for this message of hope are a great blessing to us.