Happy Thanksgiving

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  (1Thessalonans 5:18 NLT)

How can we give thanks when our world is falling apart around us?  There are pressures in relationships, worries about finances and anxious thoughts about a variety of issues, both in our own lives and what we see on the evening news.  Sometimes we feel guilt and shame around an addiction or a destructive habit or relationship.  Life certainly is not what we thought it would be.  The furniture is broken down.  The kids are acting up.  Crime statistics are up and the value of the dollar is down. How are we to give thanks in the middle of all that?  What is there to be grateful for?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

Although we do not have everything we would like, we can give thanks for what we do have.  All it takes to see how blessed we are is to look at the refugee crises that have been in the news for weeks and watch people struggle to find safety for themselves and their children. The situations these people are facing should help us realize that we have many things to be thankful for.   We have a God who knows and cares about every detail of our lives and is working for good on our behalf.  If we entrust our lives to God, He will pour out even more blessings beyond all that we could hope for or even imagine.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

What do we have that we could give thanks for? How about, our homes, our families, our health, knowledge of God's love and care, mentors and support programs, household furnishings, transportation options, temperate climate, freedom of speech and religion, democracy, hospitals and medical plans.  We don't have widespread violence on our streets damaging our homes and businesses.  We have food supplies and freedom to choose what we will eat today.  Most of us have sight, hearing and are able to walk. Our vital organs are functioning without being on life support machines.  We can freely gather to worship and share how God has impacted our lives, without the fear of being thrown in prison. We have much to be grateful for.  We need to give thanks for what we do have and let our hearts rejoice.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)

Happy Thanksgiving!

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