Ten Things to Be Thankful For, Day 4: Another Day
Have you ever had one of those mornings where you struggle to get out of bed? Not because your bed was too comfortable, or because you didn’t sleep well. Instead, you struggled to get out of bed because of what was waiting for you when you started your day. We’ve all had days where we didn’t have much to look forward to. Sometimes, life just overwhelms us — the details and struggles of life seemed to take from us any sliver of hope or joy.
I’m convinced that one of the biggest battles we face on a daily basis is to maintain proper perspective. In our times of rational thought, we can think of many truths about God and our relationship with Him that can offer us comfort and guidance in difficult circumstances. However, that doesn’t mean we are always great at remembering those truths when life is overwhelming us. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been in a situation where I didn’t know what to do and panicked about it, only to be reminded later of James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God has the wisdom I’m lacking. Yet, more often than not I’m too caught up in panicking about my lack of wisdom to ask Him for help.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and in the midst of all that has gone on in 2020, it is likely easier to focus on what went wrong than on what we have to be thankful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 gives us a recipe for gratitude: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Charles Spurgeon suggests that “When joy and prayer are married their firstborn child is gratitude.”
David Guzik, in his commentary at Blue Letter Bible, gives us a few things to keep in mind about this passage that will help lead us to thankfulness: 1
- “As Christians, we can always rejoice because our joy isn’t found in our circumstances but in God who does not change.”
- “While we can’t always bow our heads and close our eyes in prayer, we can stay in constant communication with God.”
- “We don’t need to give thanks for everything. But rather give thanks in all situations.”
- “It is God’s will for us to rejoice always and pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. It doesn’t mean it’s easy but it is what God desires from us.”
So, how can we choose thankfulness? By rejoicing in God and with continual open communication with Him. I’m continually amazed at how, when I choose to rejoice even in the smallest blessing and communicate my thankfulness to God, that I become overwhelmed with all that God has given me.
This Thanksgiving, are we going to choose to focus on the negative or focus on the positive? 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 reminds us that if we rejoice always and pray without ceasing, we will find it is easier to give thanks in all circumstances because our perspective is not focused on things of this earth that come and go, but on our unchanging God. This year has been tough, but this season, let’s choose gratitude over lament. Sometimes, that choice starts with recognizing even the smallest blessings. What do you have to be thankful for this year?
Adam Deering
- https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-1Th/1Th-5.cfm?a=1116018