#Thankful

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4
 
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. “- 1 Chronicles 16:34
 
What are you thankful for today? Can you make a list of all the things you’re grateful for? Or are they too many to count? How often do you stop to give thanks or to express gratitude for the things you have?
 
Thanksgiving is the day that we pause from our busy schedules to gather with friends and family, overeat, and reflect on what we’re thankful for. Although Thanksgiving is a great holiday and allows us to share in a time of appreciation, this attitude of gratitude can tend to be confined to one day, and that isn’t what God’s will is for us. 
 
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
 
This verse is saying that God’s will is that we give thanks in ALL circumstances. Imagine that! God’s intention is for us to be thankful regardless of what is going on, whether good or bad. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday or a day to put on an extra five pounds without guilt. Thanksgiving is a concept of being regularly thankful and a mindset that we are blessed in the midst of the everyday challenges of life. 

​This blog post serves as a reminder to take time on a daily basis to be thankful and to recognize all that we’ve been blessed with. And more importantly, I want to leave with you the message that thanksgiving is a way to remember who has blessed us. God is the giver of all things and a good father who has blessed us with so much. He wants us to pause and praise Him, not only because He deserves it but also because praise has a way of transforming the way you look at things.
 
When you express praise, your mindset will shift from what you don’t have to all the many things you do have. Praise opens the gates of heaven. Praise reminds you just how blessed you are. We live in an age and culture of constant complaining. Thus gratitude stands out amongst the continuous discontent, and is a beautiful way to let your light shine brightly for others to see.
 
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
 
Let us all strive to live a life of gratitude and let it transform our life. Happy Thanksgiving today and every day!
 
<3 Beryl

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