“Be joyful always; pray
continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV).
As we approach
Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all of our blessings.
It is a time to remember
what God has provided for us and thank Him for His steadfast love for us. But
thankfulness should not be saved for just this holiday. We should be in a mood
of thankfulness every day.
Do you honestly give
thanks in all circumstances? It is very difficult to do if you are in pain,
lonely, sorrowful, or poor, but if you can honestly look at your life and see
the good that also has happened your outlook can change remarkably.
I just read an article of
a lady who had crippling arthritis. She was feeling sorry for herself and then
decided that she would look at it in a more positive light. She thought that
she was lucky to have two legs to walk on because some do not. She was
determined to get better and her philosophy wrapped around the idea that there
is a bright side to everything. She said her thinking more positive thoughts
about it was more powerful than any steroid. You see it is all about
perspective. Thankfulness is a thought changing and life changing act.
You must remember that no
matter your circumstances God will never fail you or leave you. Jesus promised
that, and He never breaks a promise. Start every prayer with thanking God for
His steadfast love for you. Concentrate on the blessings and it will be difficult
for you to stay in the miry pit of “Woe
is me”.
I highly recommend that
you keep a journal and write down a blessing in it every day, or start a
blessing jar and write a blessing each day on a strip of paper and put it in
it. Then when you are feeling down, just sit down and read those blessings. It
will lift your spirit and help you to see that God has not abandoned you.
So remember that every day
holds a blessing for you to be thankful about. Look for it and you will surely
find it, and then be a blessing to someone else.
Dear Lord,
Some days it is very
difficult to be thankful. Help us to see the blessing in every circumstance and
be joyful always even when we don’t feel like it. There are so many ways you
bless us. Help us to look for those instead of the negative things.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
