How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? Psalm 116:12

This year Cheryl and I will gather with her family in Vernon for Thanksgiving Day. For this, we are very grateful to God. One less person will be at the table with us, because he has joined the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, and that also gives us reason to give thanks.

I know that scenes like this are being played out all over the country this week. I am also aware that there are lots of folks who are not able to be with family for holidays. And I know how that feels, too. There have been a few Christmases in recent years that Cheryl and I did not get to be with any of our children.

…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Easier said than done, right? Sometimes we don’t feel all that grateful. Like the first holiday after the death of a loved one … or after a divorce … or if you just lost your job … or if you are in the hospital.  Our situations and circumstances can make it difficult to recall all the goodness the Lord has shown to us.

In this world, you will have trouble. There will be times that you are hurting. Because of all the sin that continues in this world, there will continue to be all kinds of problems. And our adversary, the devil, would like nothing better than for you to feel overwhelmed by sadness, grief, terrorism, loneliness, illness, or whatever other difficulty you are facing right now.

What I would encourage you to remember in your current situation is that Jesus Christ has already come into the world. He came to take care of sin for you. He came to defeat the power of sin over you. He came so that you could have life and have it abundantly. The death of Jesus was accepted by the Father as full payment for the sins of the world, including yours. That means all who have faith in Jesus already have forgiveness and the certainty of eternal life with their Lord. Remembering that is what helps me face every day.

I’m not saying I have it all figured out or am always successful in my thankfulness. But I am striving to get to the point Paul was when he wrote:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

When you learn to be content, you learn to be more thankful. I’m still working on it, but I am doing much better than I used to do in that regard. And this is mainly because I focus more and more on the cross and the empty tomb and what that means for me and all those who have faith in Jesus. When you have that gratitude, you are able more and more to be content and give thanks in all circumstances. So I am able to say with the Psalmist:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1