GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS. — 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
"Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done."
As the hymn says, being thankful is a practice. We should take time to contemplate God's blessings to us, especially when there seems to be more trouble than peace in our lives.
No matter how difficult life becomes, God's gifts are still there, abundant and gracious. I knew an artist whose medical conditions caused such terrible pain that she could only stand and walk for a limited time each day. Despite her situation, she made a practice of tracing the threads of God's blessing in her life. If she ate a peach, she would thank God for the peach; the store that sold it; the store's employees; the truck driver; the orchard workers; the farmer who had cared for the trees; and for the soil, air, water, and sunlight. Her spirit radiated thankfulness in the midst of her suffering, even for something as small as a peach.
Our thankfulness is founded in God—He has promised to take care of our needs and to comfort us in our dreams. Name what the Father has done for you, blessings big and small, in joyous and in troubled times. All good gifts are from Him (James 1:17). Can you trace the thread of His love in your life?
Let's pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes to Your many blessings so I may praise Your name! Teach my heart to focus on Your goodness, no matter the circumstances. Amen.
