How often are you thankful?

This week is Thanksgiving in America, and many families are preparing for long cooking hours, cleaning responsibilities, and incoming relatives. Others are preparing for long work shifts, or travel arrangements. But no matter what plans there are for Thanksgiving, it is the one time of year our society encourages one another to remember what they are thankful for.

While giving thanks during these times and showing gratitude to others is not wrong by any means, I propose that living thankfuly should be for everyday, not just the holidays.

God does not want us to be thankful for just one day, or one week of the year. God designed us to thrive best in our lives when we live in thanksgiving each and every day.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 4:6-7

Now understand, life is not going to make you want to be thankful everyday. Being thankful is a choice.

This year my family and I have been given several opportunities to not be thankful:

I had to have extensive surgery on my hand.

My wife became very sick.

My son was diagnosed with cancer.

But we never stopped giving thanks to God, and He came through!

My hand is healed.

Marsha is getting stronger every day.

Jon is now cancer- free.

I was able to publish my first book through Charisma.

You may not always feel like being thankful, but through your thanksgiving God will always come through!

This Thanksgiving, let’s not just focus on what we are thankful for, but let us learn how we can bring thanksgiving into our everyday lives!