Thanksgiving is one time of year gratefulness comes knocking at our door. We see the word thanks everywhere we turn: on social media, television, clothes, front porches, plates and napkins. Our houses are usually decorated around the theme of thankfulness. The last Thursday of every November, we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. For many, this Thanksgiving will be a sad time as there will be an empty seat at their table. I prayed that God would wrap His arms around them and in their sadness, they would feel loved.
The Bible is filled with verses and passages on being thankful. In fact, Psalm 136 is a whole chapter on thanksgiving. Maybe we should take the time to read it out loud. Here’s the thing… the people of God are thankful people because they realize how much they have been given. Let’s look at that for a moment: We have been given… salvation, forgiveness, eternal life, hope, a future, the Holy Spirit, purpose, the body of Christ, promises, a heart that’s been transformed by the gospel. This list doesn’t even make a dent into all that God has given us. In addition to the eternal things, we also have earthly blessings: health, family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, abundant life, a fountain of living water, the Word of God, a Good Shepherd who watches over us, etc.
When we take a few moments to remind ourselves of what God has given to us and to be thankful, it changes our perspective, lifts us out of pit, puts confidence in our steps, replaces anxiety with peace and contentment, and inspires others. When we get up in the morning, we should say, “Thank you, Lord.” When we go to bed at night, we should say, “Thank you, Lord.” Begin your day thanking the Lord for what He’s going to do today. End the day by looking back and thanking the Lord for the ways you saw Him working in your life. Thank Him for another day you have been given life.
While Christians should live their lives in a thankful mode, we know that many do not. I know Christians who always focus on the bad things. Their life is pretty much doom and gloom. But here’s the thing… there are always good things. So, my goal is to help them see the good when all they see is the bad. My goal is to help people turn their negativity into positivity by saying: “I understand what you’re saying, but look at it this way.” And I will try to always find the good in every situation as well. Then I will thank the Lord. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.