In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Too many times the circumstances of life overwhelm us to the point we only think of the negatives.
If we are able to squeeze out a bit of thankfulness, it only follows the negative statement. “I’m having an awful time, but I am glad to be alive.”
David the Psalmist told us how to enter God’s Presence.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name.”
Psalm 100:4
That means, leave the negatives at the door. When you are tempted to relive bad times, think only of the ways God brought you through. Thank Him! Praise Him!
When you think of your challenging situations now, focus on how God is caring for you. Refuse to think of anything other than God’s Love for you. Thank Him! Praise Him!
When you think of your future, do so with Joy, confident that The God Who always made a way for you will do it again. Expect it. Thank Him! Praise Him!
Do I manage this all the time? No. I am like Paul, who admitted he had not quite mastered it. But he had not given up. He thanked God! He praised Him!
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
May it be so with all of us. Thanksgiving is not just a once a year holiday. It is an every day choice!
