Everywhere I look, I see reminders to give thanks. Television ads and programs ask what you are thankful for. People are posting their thanks on their Facebook status and tweeting them too.
What about those people who can't think of something for which to be thankful?
There are those who are down on their luck, or unemployed, or just plain depressed.
Are these reminders making them feel guilty for not being thankful, or worse?
There are so many people in this world who rely on the human weakness of concentrating on what they lack or what others have that they wish they had.
I am not one of those people. I thank God every day for the many blessings he has given to me.
That is not to say that my life is perfect, or that I am not envious of the blessings others have that I don't possess.
I do, however, know how to focus on the positive, and downplay the negative.
God has given me LIFE!
I am breathing.
That is something to be thankful for.
If that is all you have to be thankful for, at least give God the Glory for that, through thanksgiving.
I am sure, if they think about it, they could come up with other "small" things that they have, that God has given them, and give thanks for that. The biggest gift our Lord has given us is Salvation through his Son. I am thankful that, just for asking Him, I have been forgiven and saved! If anyone asks what I am most thankful for, that must be my answer!
Our society has made Christmas into a holiday that concentrates on "wants" and "wishes" rather than the blessings and gifts Christ and the Lord our Father have given us!
My biggest wish this Christmas season, is that all of you will examine your lives, and discover the gifts the Lord has already blessed you with, and be thankful!
" And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel." 1 Corinthians 10:10 -
"I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul." Job 10:1
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7
When we keep our focus on God, no matter how "down on our luck" we are we can always find something to praise about.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was laid off the majority of last year and half of this year. We are hurting financially in a mojor way. We could easily be depressed about it but we keep our focus on God and praise Him for other things. We praise Him that, as little as it was, we had unemployment. We praised that we received a tax refund. We praised that we still had food to eat and a roof over our head. Now we praise that he is back to work. If someone has health problems, well, praise God they are still alive to have those health problems! Praise God that if He chooses He will heal them and no matter He will be there by their side. We can praise God for the sun coming up each day.
When I hear people giving thanks it inspires me to find what else I can praise God about. God blesses us every single day that we wake up. And when we truly stop and think about, no matter how awful things may seem, we have so many blessings.
Well said Jenifer!
ReplyDeleteKeep our eyes on Jesus - and all things are possible!
Wow - I especially love this: "There are so many people in this world who rely on the human weakness of concentrating on what they lack or what others have that they wish they had."
ReplyDeleteYou hit home with that one! Enjoyed my visit to your blog! Great post. God Bless you in your ministry to others, and have a blessed Thanksgiving :)
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your visit and comments! :)
Have a blessed Holiday Season as we celebrate the greatest gift any of us have ever received! :)
Kristen