If you haven’t already noticed, it’s that time of the year when everyone decides to be extra thankful for the many blessings in their lives. Even though it’s technically not Thanksgiving just yet, I thought it would be good to steer away from all of the political talk and focus on what is important in our everyday lives—the state of being thankful.
Genuine thankfulness is rare and uncommon in our fast-paced, instant-gratification world. The hashtag “#blessed” may be currently trending, but are we truly thankful? Because if we are, why do we wait until November to start talking about being thankful? Why don’t we always go around the dinner table and share what we’re thankful for today?
Thankfulness should be an element of our everyday lives. How many luxuries and privileges do we so often take for granted? To be able to pursue your goals and dreams is something that not everyone has the chance to do. Having a job and a car are things many people dream of having. Even the smaller things like clean, bottled water and warm fuzzy socks are simple things to be thankful for.
As Americans, we have an abundance of things to be thankful for. Not only in possessions and wealth, but also in our freedom; our God-given rights and privileges recognized by our government. In the First Amendment alone, we are granted more rights than millions of others living in third-world countries. Add the rest of them up and realize that it is an honor to be a twenty-first century American. Be thankful for that.
As Christians, we are called to live in a constant state of thankfulness. Scripture clearly weaves contentment and giving thanks to God into the Christian life.
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.”
Psalm 107:1
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Corinthians 15:57
“Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.”
II Corinthians 9:15
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.”
Philippians 4:11
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18
“Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
I Timothy 6:8
And finally, to sum it all up, I’ll share one of my favorite quotes from a children’s show called Veggie Tales.
“Because a thankful heart is a happy heart.
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares, 'Cause He listens to my prayers.
That's why I say thanks every day!”
Lyrics copied from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/v/veggie_tales/thankfulness_song.html. Originally from: Veggie Tales, Madame Blueberry: A Lesson in Thankfulness, 1998.
All scriptures quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.
