This Thanksgiving season I am taking a few moments to reflect on one question: Am I truly a thankful person?

Are you?

You might be surprised to find that grateful people have always been in the minority. It is more natural to grumble and groan than to give thanks.

In the Old Testament, the Lord sent twelve spies to the promised land to spy out all that He had provided for them. He didn’t need their opinion or their idea. He just wanted them to see it and share with others the goodness of God. It was all His and He was about to give it to them!

When the twelve returned, only two brought a good report (Numbers 13). The other ten spoke in unbelief and caused an entire generation to miss the blessings of the Lord. Their problem was that they weren’t thankful, If they had simply recognized how good God was being to them they would have returned praising God and encouraging the faith of others.

Sure, there were giants and obstacles. But God was greater than all that. Lester Roloff said, “Sometimes you can praise your way through things you can’t seem to pray your way through!”

Are you the two or the ten? Grateful people are always in the minority.

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus healed ten lepers. Completely whole! Perfectly restored! And only one man returned to say thank you. In the words of Christ, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger” (Luke 17:17–18).

We have all been blessed—materially, physically, spiritually, eternally. Where are the nine?

Are you the one or the nine? Grateful people are always in the minority.

Be the two, not the twelve. Be the one, not the nine. Be willing to live in the minority and give God thanks. Anyone can complain and most will. God’s people should live a life of gratitude today and every day.