In Everything Give Thanks

The joy and happiness we have in life is dependent on us. God provides each and every one of us with more blessings than we can keep track of. However, it is up to us to see those blessings and to acknowledge them.  It is up to us to be thankful for those blessings – even when it seems like everything is going awry.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 
 – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

In everything give thanks. 

Anyone else find that hard to do? We have hit that time of the year where we are all reminded of how giving we should be and how much we have to be thankful for. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations flood stores. Christmas music rings in our ears from every store and radio station. People are booking flights and requesting days of work so they can fellowship with family over big home cooked meals and football games. Shoppers begin preparing for all the best Black Friday deals and businesses are preparing their employees for the busiest and most profitable time of the year. However, in all the hustle and bustle of preparation for these Holidays, we lose sight of the most important part of them – the Blessings God has given us. 

In everything give thanks.

What about the rest of the year when we are not reminded every day to be thankful? What about those days when our jobs take unexpected turns? What about those weeks when it feels like our family is falling apart? We get into arguments with husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, siblings, and children. What about those months when we may not know how we are going to pay all of our bills or our fridge has no food. Or those months where we are fighting against personal illnesses or the illnesses of others? The stress of the world seems to dominate our lives in every way possible.

Still yet, in everything give thanks.

The enemy will do all he can to blind us from the amazing blessings God has provided for us. The enemy will distract us with the commercialism of holidays, and the worry of our everyday lives. However, God is, and always will be, greater. We have the strength of God to overlook all of the negative things in our lives. We have the ability to see the Blessings God has placed in front of us. The blessings He wants us to have because He simply cares for us and wants us to be happy.

As you are faced with tough situations and long, tiresome days this month, I encourage you to seek out the blessings God has provided. Find ways to be thankful each and every day. I assure you, it will greatly impact each day.

In everything give thanks.

~Cassandra Whitworth