Thanksgiving is on most people’s minds this week. I’ve seen a lot of posts on social media with
lists in various forms of things that people are thankful for. It’s good to see that focus, even if only for
one day, in a society that has transformed this holiday into a day that is more
about eating, shopping, and watching football
than being thankful for our blessings.
But truly being grateful isn’t just about listing the things
that we’re thankful for. Gratefulness
comes from the heart and is an attitude that permeates all that we
do. Thankfulness is often related to
specific things we have experienced; but a
grateful heart is not affected by our circumstances. Beneath it lies an understanding that God is
sovereign; and, as sinful humans, we do not deserve any of the blessings we
receive from his hand. It is only his
gracious love for us that causes him to give us good gifts for which we can be
thankful.
I recently finished a women’s Bible study by Priscilla
Shirer on the armor of God. I was
reminded of the truth found in Philippians
4:6-7: the peace of God guards our hearts and minds when we choose to be
thankful. In other words, a grateful
heart activates God’s peace in our lives.
And how can we have a grateful heart?
Because our trust is properly placed in a trustworthy God. Faith is not about us, but about God. Because he is faithful, we can have
faith. Trusting God fuels thanksgiving, and thanksgiving activates peace.
Most of us want to have peace, and most of us can think of
things to be thankful for. But we all
need to go a step further and seek to be truly grateful for who God is ALL of
the time – not just one day a year. Then
we will have a grateful heart that
is focused on God’s character and not our circumstances – and peace will be the
natural result. As we celebrate
Thanksgiving and move into a Christmas season where peace is often talked
about, let’s remember to be grateful deep inside so that God’s peace will reign
within us as well. Have a wonderful
Thanksgiving!
