This week, for those of us in America, it is Thanksgiving. There is much for which we can be thankful for as a nation—in my opinion—with the results of the election.
But what about you personally? Are you thankful? Or have you faced challenges that have made it hard to stir up a thankful heart?
For some, you may be having a GREAT year. Others may have just received a devastating medical diagnosis, are in financial hardship, a family crisis, battling depression—especially during the holidays, or there is an empty chair at your table this year. If that fits you, I am so very sorry! It can make a thankful heart hard to come by. But no matter where you fall in the spectrum this week, our instruction is the same. It is summed up with an act of faith in which we are told, “In everything give thanks.”
That can be a hard word. Because the last I checked, everything means—EVERYTHING.
But what does that mean? If you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer. We don’t thank God for the cancer! But we do thank Him that He is the Lord, our Healer, even in the midst of the battle. If there is financial lack, we don’t thank Him that there is lack. We thank Him that He is more than enough and able to supply all our needs. We don’t thank Him for the problems. We thank Him that despite the problems, we trust Him. And we choose to rejoice and give thanks—an act of faith.
Giving thanks in everything is an attitude of the heart. It means that no matter what we encounter, we are going to trust God has our back and is going to guide us through it. Paul explains how he learned the process when he said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:11-13 NIV). It’s an important lesson and where we pray this week.
Father, I thank You that You are Lord. And I choose to give You thanks in EVERYTHING. I thank You that You are my healer. I thank You that You are the God that is more than enough. I thank You that You have seen ahead and have made provision in every area of need in my life and my family. I thank you that You hear me when I pray.
I thank you in the good times and in the bad for I know that Your thoughts for me and my family are thoughts for good and not for evil to give us a future and hope.
I thank You for my friends and family. For those I will see this week and those I won’t. I trust You with them and pray over them that You would bless them, heal them, and help them to know You more. May we all grow closer to You—even those who are not intentionally looking for You! I declare that as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
I thank You that You never leave us or forsake us. And so I give thanks to You for You are good and Your lovingkindness is everlasting. This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Make us to understand Your way and Your precepts so that we will mediate on Your wonders—for they are mighty and they are many.
Thank You for Your peace that passes all understanding. For your hope that is eternal and your Word that is truth. I give You thanks that You are my shepherd and so I lack nothing. You are leading me beside quiet waters and restoring my soul. Even in the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod an staff they comfort me. I thank You that You have set a table for me in the presence of my enemies and my cup overflows.
And so I offer You my praise in all situations. I declare that I will trust You Lord and do good. I will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. I delight myself in You and thank You for Your promise that You will give me the desires of my heart. Give me Your heart. I commit my way to You Lord. In all things I put my trust in You and I know that You will do it.
I Thes 5:18, 2 Cor 9:8, Ex 15:26, Phil 4:19, Jer 29:11, Josh 24:15, Deut 31:6-8, Ps 118:1 & 24,
Ps 119:27, Phil 4:7, Ps 23, Ps 37:3-5