I have written a lot about being thankful, because it makes life better so for the fifth Thanksgiving I will write again about being thankful. It is important and it puts life in proper perspective. Everything we have comes from a loving gracious God. It is all a gift that we often take for granted.
It is healthy and therapeutic to be thankful. It is good for relationships, mental health, and even sleep. So let us give thanks and express gratitude, because it is not only good for the person receiving the thanks but it is good for us as well. You take the focus off yourself when you are thankful, and I believe it also makes you more resilient.
Back in 1789, George Washington at the urging of Congress set aside a day for thanksgiving and prayer to acknowledge all God had done for them. Our founding fathers recognized the need to give thanks to God and so started the holiday of Thanksgiving. Today it seems to be more about food and family and less about thanking God. This Thanksgiving find a church that has a Thanksgiving service and attend it. (My church, Immanuel, in Loveland, CO, has a Thanksgiving service on Thanksgiving at 9 AM.) I find the service to be important, because it resets my mind on the love and goodness of God because of his provision for us. Our Heavenly Father is gracious and merciful, and he provides for all our needs. That is worthy of thanks and praise.
We are called to give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20) and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That seems like a hard thing to do, until you realize that God is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). Tough situations can turn into blessings. Let us have that attitude of thanksgiving, recognizing that our Heavenly Father has provided all that is needed in his love.
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks and praise for this beautiful world you created. You provide for every need of ours, food, clothing, shelter, family and friends, and even the air we breathe. It is all from you. You are good, gracious, and merciful to us. We especially thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place and die on the cross for us. Because of him we have a Spirit empowered life. Thank you for everything! Amen!
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