November 20, 2007

In Everything Give Thanks

”...in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I love Thanksgiving. Have you noticed that thankful people are much happier people? They look at their situation in life and and are genuinely content. Sure, they may look around around and see people who have more possessions (especially here in East Cobb), but they’re okay with that. They can be thankful with a little or a lot.

When I went to Matamoras last month, I saw lots of people who had almost nothing, but they were thankful and happy. Thankfulness springs up from what’s on the inside of you, not what’s happening on the outside.

That quote from the Bible says that “in everything” we are to give thanks. Thanking God in the good times is easy. Thanking him while you’re grieving about something or someone you’ve lost is another matter altogether. I’m not sure I’ve quite figured out how to do this yet.

Being thankful is also about others. If you give yourself credit for every blessing and achievement, then you won’t be thankful. You have to depend on others and give credit where credit its due. For me that means giving a hearty “Thank You” to both my heavenly Father and to others in my life. Both of which I plan on doing this week.

Here are a few of my past Thanksgiving blog entries:
2003
2005