Thankfulness to God is the medicine to all the evil that the devil throws our way. It melts away all the bitterness, jealousy, and self-pity that so easily crowds into our hearts. I’ve heard it said that thankfulness can turn a ham sandwich into a Thanksgiving feast. Imagine what it can turn a Thanksgiving feast into!
G. K. Chesterton offers helpful insight into gratitude. He defines it as, “Happiness doubled by wonder.” That’s a great definition. Gratitude has an awe to it. It occurs when we are struck by the goodness of God in light of all our sins, mistakes, and shortcomings. Chesterton also says that there are two types of people: those who take things for granted, and those who take them with gratitude. Amen.
God calls us “to be thankful in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:18). This does not mean that we must be thankful for all circumstances. Instead, it means that we need to find something to be thankful for in whatever situation we find ourselves. Easier said than done, right!? Certainly, but Christ is risen from the dead. He can never be taken from us, and He is the greatest gift we could ever receive. Fight for thankfulness, for we have much to be thankful for.
Pastor Chance
