Giving Thanks
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ“ (KJV)
The Thanksgiving holiday will be celebrated this week in America and other countries around the world. It is recognized as a day to give thanks for the blessings received in the previous year.
Some will celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday based on religious principles and some will acknowledge it as a traditional point of view.
It is not always easy to have an “attitude of gratitude” when someone is experiencing hard times, trials, or tribulations.
Some may ask the question “how can I give thanks for what I am going through right now?”
1st Thessalonians 5:16, 17 and 18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
A person can look at a half of glass of water two different ways. They can say it is half full, or they can say it is half empty. Either way, it is still a half glass of water. How a person looks at what they are experiencing can make a big difference with the outcome of the experience.
God has a way of developing what he has deposited in us by allowing trails or tribulations to come our way.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have trials and tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
When a person looks at the glass of water as being half full, that person can have the “peace and good cheer” that the scripture speaks of. They will give thanks for having a glass of water that is half full.
When a person looks at the glass of water being half empty, that person could be looking at the half glass of water as having “trials and tribulation”, and not giving thanks for what they have.
Saying the words “thank you” is a small but powerful phrase that can go a long way towards acknowledging kindness that is big or small. It is an expression of one’s gratitude of a benefit or favor that they have received.
Philippians 4:6,7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, I would encourage everyone to look at what they can give thanks for not only on Thanksgiving Day, but to give thanks each and every day of the year.
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me”
Happy Thanksgiving…Rev
