Thank God
Romans 1:18-23 teaches us that when we suppress the truth, we stop thanking God. In other words, we become ungrateful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 echoes this sentiment, encouraging us to give thanks in all circumstances.
As we become ungrateful, we lose a ton of benefits, including:
Stronger, healthier relationships
Improved sleep quality and quantity
Fewer body aches and pains
Lower levels of stress
Fewer toxic emotions and negative thoughts
Higher self-esteem and resilience
An air that tends to make other people happy
A stronger immune system
Lower blood pressure
More alertness, liveliness, and wakefulness
More joy, optimism, happiness, and pleasure
More helpfulness, generosity, and compassion
More forgiveness
Less loneliness and isolation
The ability to attract and retain great employees
This year was filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and a ton of adjustments. It would be easy to enter Thanksgiving filled with ingratitude. However, there are always reasons to thank God. Give God thanks for:
Our salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15)
His continued presence in our lives (Philippians 4:4-7)
What He has given us
The people in our lives (i.e. family, friends, neighbors, church, etc.)
The fact that the promises God has made will happen through trials (James 1:2-3, Daniel 6:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 1:12)
His forgiveness
That He turns all circumstances for good
May this Thanksgiving be a time where the discipline of gratitude shifts how you view any circumstances in life, including the anxieties and uncertainties that come.
Chew on This:
What would your life be like if you knew you could find things to be grateful for even in the worst circumstance?