Thankfulness

Be joyful, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18

This is the season to be thankful  in spite of your circumstances.  The media reminds us daily of what we ought to be concerned about. Simply turn on the news and you’ll be bombarded with negative reports about the economy, recent layoffs, the unemployment rate, murder, and turmoil in Washington.  Don’t lose heart; these are simply the times that we live in.

There are issues we face on a national level and on a personal level. This Thanksgiving will be tough for me because I lost my father to cancer this past April. It was this time last year that he was given 6 months to live.  As I reflect on this lost, there is occasion to be sad, but there is also occasion to rejoice. He is at peace now and free from pain. Yes,   I’ve had to make adjustments , but God has been faithful through it all.  It is His unfailing grace that has sustained me.

I believe many of you have suffered a loss.   How do I know… because pain doesn’t discriminate?  We all experience it because we live in a sin filled world and sins consequences are death, disease, destruction and loss.  Loss has many faces - death, divorce, job terminations, layoffs and voluntary or involuntary separations from a spouse.  I don’t know your loss or the extent of your pain, but I do know that in your most vulnerable moments, it is God’s strength that it is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

I’m reminded of a parable that I heard some time ago about a man that was sad because he didn’t have any shoes, until he noticed someone who didn’t have any feet.  Suffice it to say, there is always someone who is worse off than you. I don’t mean to minimize your pain but encourage you to maintain a grateful attitude.  

Unfortunately, our ungrateful attitudes are partly a result of our conditioning in American society which focuses on what we don’t have and teaches us to always strive for more.  A direct result of this conditioning is discontentment. Contentment eludes most Americans…even Christians.  However, there is great value in being content.   Paul said that he knew the secret of being content in every situation whether well fed or hungry (Philippians 4:11). Since our society exerts so much effort teaching us to be discontent, let’s match its effort and strive to be content and thankful …whatever our circumstance.  If you are facing the loss of a love one – thank God for the memories that you had. If you are facing potential layoffs – thank God for closing one door and opening another.  If you are facing some medical diagnosis – thank God that by Jesus stripes you are healed. Find a reason to be thankful.

I pray that this word encourages you to do as the scripture says… give thanks in (not for) all things because it is the will of God. I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society.