When I typically think of giving thanks, it’s only natural for me to think of the holiday that so many Americans like myself cherish.

Thanksgiving.

That’s the special space where friends and family can hit ‘pause’ and gather together in the midst of each person’s busy routine. There’s the overload of food that is served – the turkey, the scallop potatoes, the stuffing – oh, and so much more! There are the memories that are created when spontaneous laughter happens and stories are shared.

At the same time, a variety of people have different feelings when it comes to holidays. Many have recently lost loved ones and the realization they are not here anymore becomes amplified when families gather together. Others might feel lonely or depressed because they do not have anyone significant to spend time with. While one person cannot wait for holidays such as Thanksgiving to come, others try not to think about it as its arrival is filled with pain.

Wherever you might fit in with the Thanksgiving season, there are still plenty of great reasons to be thankful – and yes, being thankful is more than an event, it’s a lifestyle. The Lord has mentioned to us several times in His Word that we should be grateful in all things and have a grateful attitude each day. So… what’s the big deal of being thankful?

Being thankful redirects our focus back to God when we need it.

It’s so tempting to look at what we don’t have or what we think we should have isn’t it? Statements like:  

• “I’m still single and there’s no one interested in me…”
• “Am I ever going to get out of this job?”
• “I still don’t have the answer I’m looking for. I feel so stuck…”

I’m positive that if you started down that road, you’d find a few more to add to that list. Yet that’s not what God wants for us. As part of giving our all to Jesus, we should be grateful for what He has done. If we focus on what is not, we become negative, dejected, and full of worry. In fact, sometimes we can obsess so much about ‘what could be’ that we neglect that what is right in front of us!

Being thankful of what we DO have shows God that we appreciate Him and His care for us. Our God is the ‘giver of good gifts’ (James 1:17) and He wants to give to us if we continue to ask (Matthew 7:7). But are we appreciative of what we currently have?

As I was writing this, a scene from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” came to mind. There’s a spoiled brat, Veruca Salt, and she is demanding that she have the golden goose. She’s used to getting her way and no one is going to stop her. Veruca exclaims, “Who says I can’t have one?” “I want one! I want a golden goose!” The goose wasn’t for sale, and it was shortly realized after this that she was considered a ‘bad egg’ and went down the dumpster chute. Go figure!

 Her father over indulged this child and as a result, her demanding behavior was indicative that she should have ‘whatever she wants.’ Yet giving her more would be the worst thing possible since it would further perpetuate her narcissist nature and ungrateful attitude. Far be it that we are like her, but if our attitude is not gratitude, how are we demonstrating to God that we should get more? If we are not thankful, even content with where we are and what we have, what makes us think that our prayer should be answered for more?

Right now as you read this, began thinking about some of the things you are thankful for. An exercise to get you feeling grateful is to write down 3 things that you are thankful for each morning. Try this each day until Thanksgiving. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

The key is remembering and being consistent. What you’ll find is that you’ll have plenty to be thankful for! You’ll start your day off with a positive attitude since it’s focused on what God has already done for you. By being thankful, you are positioning your thoughts to steer away from the negative that so easily entangles us in our day. Instead of first checking emails, social media, or dropping off the kids, spend a few moments first in an attitude of gratitude. This small exercise in the morning will make a big impact on the rest of your day.

I’ve also wrote down some of my favorite verses on giving thanks if you’d like to incorporate this into your time of gratitude. May you have a rich time of “giving thanks to God for all that He has done, for His love endures forever!” – Psalm 118:29

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:15-17

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” – Psalm 100:4

“And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.” – Isaiah 12:4-5

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers.” – Philemon 1:4

Have a blessed week!