November, along with celebrating Thanksgiving Day, is the month we tend to set aside to remember and give thanks for the many blessings we have more readily than we do other times of the year.
When we give thanks, don’t we tend to thank God for the “good” or positive things He provides in our life like…
…a job that pays the bills
…a roof over your head
…good health
…the promotion to make more money
…a healing of some sort?
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I saw this sign the other day that got me reflecting some more along these lines of thankfulness.
Yes, that word ALL jumped out at me.
Do we really give thanks to the Lord in ALL things?
Even those things that are not so positive or pleasant? Like….
…cancer
…a broken relationship
…physical suffering
…mental illness
…plans that don’t go like we expect.
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Can we truly give thanks to the Lord in those instances? It is something that I find challenging and need to work on in my life. Maybe you are like me but maybe not. 😃
Three years ago when I was told I had Stage 0 Breast Cancer (DCIS), I felt like my world was crushed. Yes, just hearing those words and not knowing what decision to make for treatment was devastating. I didn’t feel like thanking the Lord in the situation. Before that time, I thought my faith was strong so it kind of stopped me in my tracks when I suddenly felt like my faith was so weak.
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If you are like me, you might say HOW can we really give God thanks for those “bad” things?
What if we tried to shift our focus off of US and our problems and focus more on God?
What if we remind ourselves that:
…Everything is really under God’s control?
…God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to earth as both human and divine to die a grueling death to save each one of us from our sins? WOW! If Jesus endured that for US, shouldn’t we know it is okay when we suffer and that God is with us?
…That there truly is a bigger picture that we are all a part of
…That in the end, we just might grow stronger in our faith
…That we might become more compassionate and be able to help others?
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How appropriate that I also ran across this saying the other day:
May you be encouraged to give thanks to the Lord in ALL things!
Try praising Him through those rough areas of your life.
If we are continually giving thanks in all things, our attitude will improve by dwelling on God working in all things to accomplish His will.
And, I pray that God may send those special people in your life to walk beside you through the good and the bad.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
Thanks for the reminder to always give thanks
I’m very thankful that I recovered a hip replacement 4 wks ago and am doing well
But also thankful for the little things too.
Thanks for reading and the blessing, Sandy! Many blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving and always!
Happiest. thanksgiving !!! I left a comment it disappeared …
Thanks for reading and trying to comment, Reenie! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving as well! Stay blessed. 🙂
my thoughts:
Philippians 1:29 states “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his sake”
1 Peter 4:12-13 states “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happen into you:
But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings;that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad aslo with exceeding joy”
please try to remember that even if you were the only one… the only one Christ on His behalf would have endured the exact suffer He did for this world…hold near and strong on your faith because the word says we also suffer for his sake…
however though there is a promise of tribulations, pain, suffering… there is the greatest promise of His love and reward… that even though we partake in things we deem unfair a time will come when His glory shall be revealed and our hearts will express exceedingly with joy.
so when you are down and out, clinching your fist with anger and frustration asking “why are you doing this to me” look at the cross and ask
“why did you do that for me”
decrease so that Christ can increase and know it was all
Because He first loved you!
Amen, Lisa!! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and blessing me. You are right, if we were the only one, Christ still would have suffered and died for that one! What an awesome thought to take hold of and understand. Blessings to you and your family!
I have found that in my dark days, when I am able to stay focused on our God and thank Him for my blessings and ask Him for comfort in the darkness, then I am able most to weather those dark days best.
God Bless you and your family, Christine
Amen, Sandy! That is something I need to do more! Thank you for the great reminder. Many blessings to you and your family!
Dear Christine Wishing you and your family a very Blessed and healthy Thanksgiving!! Sue from retreat.
Thank you so much for the wishes and reading, Sue! It is great to hear from you. 🙂 And the same to you and your family! Blessings~
Happy Thanksgiving Christine! Thank you for all you do! So much to be Thankful for.
God Bless you and your family!
Lorie
And Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Lorie! Thanks for faithfully reading and the blessings. It’s always great to see you…hopefully again this weekend! 🙂 Blessings~