stephen R Harrison

First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” You know what this verse reminds us to do: LIVE A LIFESTYLE OF THANKFULNESS. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve heard one too many complaints in 2020. Here’s the truth: THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING FOR WHICH WE SHOULD GIVE THANKS! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to be thankful IN all circumstances. It did not say be thankful FOR all circumstances. Obviously no one is thankful FOR everything we’ve experienced in 2024, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be thankful IN 2024.

Some have had a tough year no doubt. Some faced economic and emotional troubles. Some have struggled and even backslid in their faith. I’ve seen some leave the faith altogether this year! While, in many ways, this has not been a banner year, I think back to one of the first times of thanksgiving in our nation. During the winter of 1610, the settlers of Jamestown had it way worse than we could ever imagine. That first winter, they were reduced from 409 to 60 because of sickness and the harsh elements. The survivors prayed for help without knowing when or how it might come. When help finally arrived in the form of a ship filled with food and supplies from England, a prayer meeting was held to give thanks to God. They never stopped being thankful and worshipping God! Oh how we should be thankful!

400 years ago, on September 6th, 1620, the Pilgrims set sail for America and were at sea nearly two months. When at last they arrived at Plymouth Rock, they had a prayer service and thanked God for being with them during their journey. Nearly half of them died as they struggled to build shelters and survive the cold New England winter. When spring came, Native American friends assisted them in reaping a great harvest. Because the Pilgrims were thankful, they declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God.

Thanksgiving was originally established as a Christian holiday by President George Washington in 1789. President Abraham Lincoln set aside the last Thursday of November 1863 for a day of gratitude. He declared: “We are prone to forget the Source from which the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies come. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.” In 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday. Today, with family gatherings, all those pies, football, hunting, and black Friday shopping, we can soon forget about the most important reason to be thankful on Thanksgiving. God sent His son Jesus to be our Savior (1 Corinthians 15:57)! We are told in Psalm 106:1, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

The Thanksgiving holiday may be tough for you this year. Maybe you didn’t agree with the presidential election outcome. Perhaps you’re praying for a loved one affected by tragedy, sickness, or bitterness. Prayers go out to those struggling. While we must pray, we must also praise God for the thousands upon thousands who have recovered from corona and many times more who have never contracted it! Continued prayers of protection and healing! Maybe you’ve decided not to gather with all of your family this Thanksgiving. Please reconsider if forgiveness is what you lack! This year, like every year, some have lost investments, jobs, homes, loved ones, and are even on the verge of losing hope. But remember, there’s ALWAYS SOMETHING FOR WHICH WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL! THERE’S ALWAYS HOPE BECAUSE OF JESUS! In the midst of trouble there is still room for thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving should be about God, not our circumstances. It’s easy to give thanks in good times, but what about the bad? Instead of giving thanks in our circumstances, maybe we should just give thanks to God Who has never left us alone in any circumstance? Worship and thanksgiving are always times of sacrifice as we must push past our despair and disappointment. Maybe hardship or tragedy has hit your life in some way and giving thanks seems impossible. There’s always something for which we should be thankful! The Bible doesn’t say, “Give thanks to the Lord, because you feel good.” It says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”

Maybe the question isn’t “What are you thankful for?” Maybe it should be, “To Whom are you giving thanks?” This Thanksgiving, don’t forget the source of your blessings. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! He is the source of thanksgiving.

Would you do something? Would you contact at least 5 people by text today and express your thankfulness for them to them?

Love you more than you know! Be encouraged! If God is for us, who can be against us!

Happy Thanksgiving!