Thankfulness

November is a common month to give thanks.  While Thanksgiving Day often reminds us to give thanks, we often forget to be thankful throughout the rest of the year.  This month seems to have come so quickly.  We have been very busy over the past four months, and that can often make time seem to move faster.  It is also common to get so caught up in the summertime activities and back to school that we forget to give thanks, even for the little things.  It is especially hard to give thanks when things do not seem to be going well.  Yet, we are told in I Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  Even in hard times, we are still to give thanks.  

It may seem easy to give thanks during prosperous times.  When we are doing well, we would obviously be thankful.  However, that time of prosperity is often accompanied by apathy.  We forget that our blessings come from God.  We tend to take pride in our efforts and forget that we are nothing without Christ.  While we rejoice in the good times, we must also stop and remember to thank the Lord who brought us into this time.  In comparison to previous years, this year has been relatively easy for our family.  We have had no major crises thus far, our needs have been met, and we are all in good health.  We have had years that none of those things were true, so we are thankful for the relatively “uneventful” year.

Other years have been filled with much more struggle and difficulty.  These are times when it is hard to rejoice or be thankful as it seems there is nothing for which to be thankful.  Our first year of marriage was filled with sickness, car repairs, job changes, and a diminishing savings account.  It was hard to remember that, even through those tough times, God is faithful.  We were forgiven in Christ; we were together; we had a baby coming who remained healthy as he was formed even though the rest of us experienced illness.  While our savings account took quite a hit, we still had all of our needs met.  It is easy to get angry or feel depressed when experiencing loss or difficulties.  However, we need to remember that we have been given so much more.  Our focus should be on the saving work of Christ and eternity, not our temporary struggles.

How do we keep focused on Christ?  As we start, let me clarify that this is something I often struggle with just as much as others.  I often lose sight of thanksgiving when times are tough, or forget to give thanks when blessings come my way.  However, there are a few things I’ve learned about myself along the way.  I believe that prayer and Bible reading are essential daily activities.  No matter the circumstances, it is important to make time to communicate with God.  In our prayers, as stated above, we should rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.  God wants us to bring our requests to Him, but we are showing up in awe, worship, and thanks.  It is not about what we want; it is about God’s will for our circumstances.  Daily Bible reading also helps remind us of who we are and why we are here.  All of Scripture points us to Christ, reminds us of the gospel, and serves to bring glory to God.  Having that in your mind will help you focus on Christ and be thankful.

Every day is a great day to be thankful.  I am thankful for a husband who works hard so I can stay home with our children.  I am thankful for basic necessities not only met but also for comfort at home as well.  We have food to eat, a roof over our heads, clean water, and so much more that are easily provided to us without struggle.  You don’t have to wait for turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing to share your thanks to God or with others.  Try to find one thing each day this month for which to give thanks.  I have also heard of people putting notes with blessings, answers to prayers, or other such thanks in a jar all year so they can review it at Thanksgiving the next year.  Just think, a whole year of thanks on which to reflect!  I am a work in progress, and I hope to encourage others to live a life of thanksgiving as well.