“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Gratitude is not only vertical—it’s relational. It blesses God when we thank Him, but it also builds others when we express that thanks to them. In the body of Christ, thankfulness becomes a ministry. When spoken, it strengthens. When shared, it encourages. When modeled, it multiplies.
Paul’s command to “encourage one another and build up one another” is not a suggestion. It’s a call to action for every believer. And one of the simplest—and most overlooked—ways we do this is by expressing sincere, God-centered gratitude to others.
We often assume people know we’re thankful for them. We think our appreciation is implied. But implied gratitude has little power. Expressed gratitude breathes life. It affirms what’s good. It lifts what’s weak. It reminds others that God is using them—even if they don’t see it.
Your words of thanks may be what someone needs to keep going. A note, a prayer, a comment of “I see how God is working through you”—these are not empty phrases. They are spiritual encouragements that build up the body of Christ. They remind people that their faithfulness matters. That their presence matters. That their obedience is not invisible.
Paul often did this in his letters. He thanked God for churches, for co-laborers, for ordinary believers whose love, faith, or service reflected Christ. He didn’t just correct. He commended. He didn’t just teach. He encouraged. And those words—written under the Spirit’s inspiration—are still building the church today.
Our words matter too. Encouraging one another with gratitude shifts the culture of our homes, our friendships, our churches. It creates an atmosphere of grace, not comparison. Of building, not tearing. Of edifying, not exhausting.
This kind of encouragement isn’t flattery. It’s truth-based affirmation rooted in what God has done and is doing. It’s not about puffing people up—it’s about pointing them to Christ in them. It’s a way of saying, “I see His work in you, and I thank Him—and you—for it.”
If you’ve been encouraged by someone, say so. If someone has blessed you, tell them. If God has used someone’s life, voice, time, or presence to impact yours—don’t assume they know. Let your thankfulness do what Scripture says: build them up.
Cross-References
- “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification… so that it will give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29
- “Appreciate those who diligently labor among you… and esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
- “Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Questions for Reflection
- Who has encouraged or served you recently that you’ve not yet thanked?
- How might your relationships change if you looked for ways to express gratitude more often?
- What keeps you from speaking words of thankfulness—and how can you overcome that today?
Prayer Prompt
Ask God to bring to mind people who have strengthened you by their presence, faith, or love—and thank Him for them. Then reach out and let them know. Let your gratitude be their encouragement.
This devotional is adapted from Forever Grateful: 30 Days to a Heart of Thankfulness by D.C. Robertsson. Available on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0F1Y8JJSM
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