---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that is a better thing than…"
description: "\"I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the co..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png"
---

#  I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving…

![“I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.” quote by Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png)

> “I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.”

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True gratitude is living constantly in joy and obedience to God's mercy, aligning desires with divine will.

**In simple terms:** Live joyfully, obey God, align desires.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate constant gratitude.

Themes

gratitude faith obedience

Mood

reverent hopeful

Type

spiritual inspirational

When to use this quote

- daily prayer
- community worship
- personal reflection
- service work

Key Concepts

theology spiritual discipline

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you practice gratitude daily?
- What desires need surrendering?

A Different Perspective

May become feel burdensome if not balanced with realism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Thanks Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thanks-living-3809284/) [Thanksgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thanksgiving/) [Thanksgiving thanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thanksgiving-thanks/) [Thing Thanksgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-thanksgiving-2256996/)

## Related quotes

> [Homemade stuffing is my favorite thing about Thanksgiving. I wish people served it more than just once a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-gentile/homemade-stuffing-is-my-favorite-thing-about-thanksgiving-i-wish/)

[Troy Gentile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-gentile/)

> [Everything here is alive thanks to the living of everything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/everything-here-is-alive-thanks-to-the-living-of-everything-else/)

[Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/)

> [The funny thing about Thanksgiving ,or any big meal, is that you spend 12 hours shopping for it then go home and cook,chop,braise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-allen/the-funny-thing-about-thanksgiving-or-any-big-meal-is-that-you-spend/)

[Ted Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-allen/)

> [Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-jowett/faith-without-thankfulness-lacks-strength-and-fortitude/)

[John Henry Jowett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-jowett/)

> [Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/be-thankful-for-what-you-have-you-ll-end-up-having-more/)

[Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/)

> [Oh. What if we eat a lot with people that annoy the hell out of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/oh-what-if-we-eat-a-lot-with-people-that-annoy-the-hell-out-of-us/)

[Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/)

> [And though I ebb in worth, I'll flow in thanks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor/and-though-i-ebb-in-worth-i-ll-flow-in-thanks/)

[John Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor/)

> [I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-grateful-for-what-i-am-and-have-my-thanksgiving-is-perpetual-it/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Thanksgiving is the day when you turn to another family member and say, 'How long has Mom been drinking like this?' My Mom, after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/thanksgiving-is-the-day-when-you-turn-to-another-family-member-and/)

[David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/)

> [It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-the-duty-of-all-nations-to-acknowledge-the-providence-of-2/)

[George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/)

> [Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-jowett/every-virtue-divorced-from-thankfulness-is-maimed-and-limps-along-the/)

[John Henry Jowett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-jowett/)

> [Praise lies upon a higher plane than thanksgiving. When I give thanks, my thoughts still circle about myself to some extent. But in praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/praise-lies-upon-a-higher-plane-than-thanksgiving-when-i-give-thanks/)

[Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/)

> [Reflect upon your present blessings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/reflect-upon-your-present-blessings/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [Thanksgiving is so called because we are all so thankful that it only comes once a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/thanksgiving-is-so-called-because-we-are-all-so-thankful-that-it-only/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [There should be a parallel between our supplications and our thanksgivings. We ought not to leap in prayer, and limp in praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-should-be-a-parallel-between-our-supplications-and-our/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

## More by Charles Spurgeon

> [The more holy, the more humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-more-holy-the-more-humble/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [He is not humanity deified. He is not Godhead humanized. He is God. He is man. He is all that God is, and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/he-is-not-humanity-deified-he-is-not-godhead-humanized-he-is-god-he/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Lord, send Your life throughout the entire church. Visit Your church; restore sound doctrine and holy, earnest living. Take away from professing Christians their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/lord-send-your-life-throughout-the-entire-church-visit-your-church/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Christ came to bring healing to those who are spiritually sick-you say that you are perfectly well, so you must go your own way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/christ-came-to-bring-healing-to-those-who-are-spiritually-sick-you/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Who among you today is doing the most for your Master's kingdom? I will tell you. Lend me a spiritual thermometer by which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/who-among-you-today-is-doing-the-most-for-your-master-s-kingdom-i/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [I do not know when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-do-not-know-when-i-am-more-perfectly-happy-than-when-i-am-weeping/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Light physical is said by Solomon to be sweet, but gospel light is infinitely more precious, for it reveals eternal things, and ministers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/light-physical-is-said-by-solomon-to-be-sweet-but-gospel-light-is/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Don't you know that day dawns after night, showers displace drought, and spring and summer follow winter? Then, have hope! Hope forever, for God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/don-t-you-know-that-day-dawns-after-night-showers-displace-drought/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [“A mother can translate baby-talk: she comprehends incomprehensible noises. Even so doth our Father in heaven know all about our poor baby talk, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-mother-can-translate-baby-talk-she-comprehends-incomprehensible/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [God is our portion, Christ our companion, the Spirit our Comforter, Earth our lodge, and Heaven is our home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/god-is-our-portion-christ-our-companion-the-spirit-our-comforter/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Jesus poured out his soul in life before he poured it out unto death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/jesus-poured-out-his-soul-in-life-before-he-poured-it-out-unto-death/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [There are believers who by God's grace, have climbed the mountains of full assurance and near communion, their place is with the eagle in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-are-believers-who-by-god-s-grace-have-climbed-the-mountains-of/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [If we want revivals, we must revive our reverence for the Word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-we-want-revivals-we-must-revive-our-reverence-for-the-word-of-god/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Believe only half of the praise and half of the criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/believe-only-half-of-the-praise-and-half-of-the-criticism/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

[Explore all 1,523 Charles Spurgeon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

## More Compassion quotes

> [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/)

[Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/)

> [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

> [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/)

[Segun Magbagbeola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/segun-magbagbeola/)

> [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/)

[Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/)

> [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/)

[R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/)

> [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/)

[Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/)

> [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/)

[Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/)

> [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/)

[Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/)

> [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/)

[Talib al Habib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-al-habib/)

> [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/)

[Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/)

[Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Charles Spurgeon"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-thanksgiving-thanks-living-how-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Compassion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-thanksgiving-thanks-living-how-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/charles-spurgeon-82_compassion_i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-than_2853343.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general…” — Charles Spurgeon",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Charles Spurgeon",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think that is a better...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-thanksgiving-thanks-living-how-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-think-that-is-a-better-thing-than-thanksgiving-thanks-living-how-is/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
