This week we are challenged to be thankful. Keeping a long, intentional list running through my head of all the blessings supposedly boosts mental health. Now don’t get me wrong, “For everything there is a season,” according to Ecclesiastes 3:1. There is a time for everything and certainly, today is a time to be thankful. Are you thankful or glad?
Season of change
I think it’s fair to say that I am in a season of change. Living in a new house, in a new neighborhood, in a new town, with a new husband is a lot to take in. Gratitude fills my heart, though I’m still not sure where I put everything. “A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.” (Ecclesiastes 3:6). During the move, I sold, gave away and threw away a lot of stuff. My new house is quite comfortable, but the familiar is gone.
Am I thankful? Of course.
Today and tomorrow
I woke up at 4 a.m. That’s not terribly unusual for me, but last night I stayed up later than normal so I thought I’d at least sleep until 6. And I had no intention of writing this morning, but as I sat in my new home office, words came that I wanted to share. You see, I woke up with my mind spinning.
The anecdote to thoughts turning in my head is pages turning on my lap. Slipping out of bed, I grabbed my Bible and opened it to Romans 8:38:
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Fears for today and worries for tomorrow is precisely what woke me up early. Don’t get me wrong, the turkey is prepped, and all is well. But it’s a lot. Of course, I am thankful for it.
Blessings and plenty
Life is full and I am grateful. But gratitude isn’t a platitude that fixes anxiety. Thanking God for blessings and plenty in my life doesn’t obligate Him to maintain the status quo. It’s not a transaction to ensure peace that tomorrow won’t bring sorrow and want.
Here’s the deal, truly nothing can separate us from God’s love. Nothing. But focusing on the things we are grateful for, rather than His unconditional, mercy-infused, grace-filled, everlasting, love leads our hearts in the wrong direction.
You see, we can be incredibly grateful for the life we are living totally apart from God and His unfailing love. True thankfulness is not the same as being glad we have what we have. Paul tells us:
“Don’t worry about anything;
Instead pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6:
Be thankful
Today, and every day, thank God for all He has done. He gave us His righteousness by sending His son to live the life we could not live. He offers us His peace to guard our hearts and minds.
He is Creator, Redeemer and the Lover of our souls.
He is excellent and worthy of our praise.
Thanksgiving advice
This year as you gather with family or friends “practice all you learned” from Paul.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Yes, be glad for the blessings you’ve experienced this year. But more importantly, be truly thankful.
