Thanksgiving is the holiday when we traditionally reflect on the good things in our lives that we often take for granted. It is quite common to hear people "counting their blessings" and acknowledging the fact that life has been good in many ways.
But what happens when someone has had a difficult year? Is it still possible to be thankful after suffering setbacks, facing huge challenges or struggling in some area of life?
We've seen record-breaking natural disasters, widespread terror attacks, the war in the Middle East and other major world events leave many people devastated. Millions are struggling to understand why God would allow these events to occur.
We may not always understand why things happen, but the Bible encourages us to find reasons to remain thankful in every situation.
Thanking God isn't an empty religious gesture. It's a powerful spiritual principle that demonstrates our faith and releases blessings. When we give thanks as we endure hard times, we show that we trust God to protect us and give us victory in the end.
God wants to restore our joy to the extent that we barely remember our pain.
Sometimes we forget that our circumstances are subject to change and that the challenges we face will eventually come to an end. Even though tragedies can change our lives forever, we have a right to experience peace and joy despite our conditions.
Maybe terrorism and natural disasters didn't affect you personally this year, but we all have encountered tough situations at some time in our lives. Regardless of what you've gone through, go ahead and thank God for the victory right now! Giving thanks is one of the best ways to escape hopelessness.
It takes strength to give thanks in the midst of adversity, but God rewards you abundantly when you do.
Once you begin to give thanks, God immediately increases your strength and removes your burden. When you step out in faith and thank God even though you may not feel like it, He dispatches angels to assist you in any way possible.
Thanking God in the midst of your grief shows that you trust Him despite your circumstances.
When you're in the middle of a challenging situation, you might wonder, What do I have to be thankful for? But there is always something to be thankful for. For example, God is always patient. He promises to forget past mistakes and gives you a new opportunity each day to make better decisions than you did yesterday.
Take the time to sit quietly and meditate on God's goodness. As you begin to sincerely thank Him from your heart, you will become empowered just by having fellowship with Him!
During this Thanksgiving season, take the time to reflect on all the good things that God has already done for you. He promises to do even more. Choose to make thanksgiving your way of life no matter what is going on around you, and God will cause His blessings to overflow in your life!
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