"Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of year. I love celebrating with my family and carrying out the same traditions we have had for years. This year was no different. I love that we set aside a time to think about all of the things we have to be thankful for.
Yet, as I returned to school and was quickly caught up in the busyness of life with tests and projects and presentations and social clubs events, I completely forgot about all of that thankfulness I had just a few days before. I haven't given thankfulness much thought as I feel like I'm consumed with all of these things to do.
But as Christians, thankfulness should be a priority in our lives. We are told to "give thanks in all circumstances." So what am I missing here?
At Thanksgiving, we often focus on counting our blessings and being thankful for specific things in our lives. While that's a great thing to do, we are commanded not to give thanks for but to give thanks in. That one little word makes a big difference.
So what does it mean to give thanks in? I think the kind of gratitude that gives thanks in is an pervasive attitude of thankfulness in our hearts that influences our perception of the world.It helps us center on God and it brings joy and peace to our lives. It creates positivity. It is a sense of simplicity and contentment that remains the same no matter what comes our way. Being thankful in doesn't change, even if we don't feel very thankful for the circumstance we're facing.
Giving thanks in is something that should happen every day, no matter what is happening to us. It's not something to focus on just one day out of the year. It's not easy to do, but it is a goal that we should all share. That kind of thankfulness isn't a burdensome commandment but a gift from God that will brighten each day that we seek to put it into practice. Let's all try to be thankful in.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." -Colossians 3:15
