What if I don’t “FEEL” thankful?

‘Tis the season to give thanks.

But what if I don’t feel thankful?

What if life has pressed in on me from multiple sides and all I can see are the negatives? The bills that need to be paid…the job that hasn’t been enjoyable in a long time, if ever…the strained relationships…

The list could go on and on. We all have them. EVERY ONE of us. Those things for which we are NOT thankful.

And yet, 1 Thes. 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT)

Do you see that little word that we sometimes miss? No?

It’s the word IN. We sometimes think it means FOR, but it’s not.

It doesn’t say we have to be thankful FOR all circumstances. It says IN.

In every circumstance, be thankful FOR something.

Do you have family that loves you? Friends? Do you currently have a roof over your head, clothes on your body, or a biscuit to eat?

Are you breathing? That is something to be thankful for — even if it doesn’t seem like it at the moment.

The Psalms come to mind when I start feeling less than thankful. Here are a few…

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!” (42:5-6a; 11, 43:5 NLT)

We sang this song in church yesterday. It helps me to be thankful.

 

God’s promise still stands. He is faithful. He doesn’t turn away from us, even when we turn from Him.

If you have NOTHING else to be thankful for, be thankful for that.

My list of things I’m thankful for (not exhaustive by any means or in any particular order), because sometimes I need to remind myself how much I HAVE that I should be THANKFUL for…

  • breath
  • decent health
  • each of my kids
  • salvation
  • my husband
  • a nice house
  • plenty of food
  • heat
  • air conditioning
  • freedom
  • internet
  • YOU
  • water
  • computer
  • HOT tea
  • doctors/nurses
  • my church
  • my pastors
  • a voice
  • You Tube
  • writing
  • books
  • TV
  • my dog
  • lawn mowers
  • washing machine
  • dryer
  • a working car
  • my husband’s job
  • Jesus
  • grocery stores (I wouldn’t want to have to grow all my food. Amen?)
  • friends
  • stop lights/signs
  • the men and women of our military
  • the president (I’m thankful he’s not a dictator)
  • the police
  • the fire department
  • phones/texting
  • music
  • glasses

 

I’m sure there’s so much more, but you get the idea.

Let’s change our fickle feelings and remember how blessed we truly are.

What do you have to be thankful for this week? 

 

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