” In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Today, it is dreary. Cold and raining. The bone chilling cold is raw and stings. Complaints abound. My voice is one of them and then I remember this verse. “In everything” is the “will of God.” Really? Lord, do You know what I have been going through? How I feel? What time of year it is and how difficult it is to make it from November first to January first? The holy days do not feel so holy, hallowed, or “It is a Wonderful Life.”

Why is giving thanks the will of God? Simple really. He knows to succumb to these “oh woe is me” emotions is a banana peel into the grip of hell and how difficult the climb out even with the aid of faith, family and friends!

Thanks (a personal choice) leads to joy: Not happiness which is conditional, but joy. The knowledge the Lord has all in HIs control and just as rain and cold gives way to sunshine and warmth, our “situations” change. When we are afraid of being buried, we are being planted. When life is hard, He is cultivating a tender heart. When others are unkind, He is producing kindness and compassion.

Give thanks for all the Lord is doing IN your situation. Pay attention to what happens even when you thank Him with a skeptical heart. Job gave thanks for all His troubles and the Lord turned the “captivity” into a new, surrendered, prosperous, and faithful life.

Conviction, transparency, and honesty can be vulnerability on display. Dare to be honest. Others see they are not alone in the struggle and see how you move from despair to hope in the blink of an eye as you mouth thanksgiving to God for the BLESSING of all you are experiencing!

IN EVERYTHING give THANKS!!! Not just on Thanksgiving Day but every minute of every day. God’s Word tells us it IS God’s will for you and me. Not open for debate. A directive given for our benefit, His glory, and the good of others. (Nobody wants to be around a complainer!) Think how the world would change if just believers did this 75% of the time. Make your corner of the world brighter with a thankful word. Then, be sure to thank the LORD for His Word and direction given to encourage us and keep us from the grip of the unseen enemy. Thanksgiving defeats him and sends him packing. Now this is something to be very THANKFUL for every single day!

Happy Thanksgiving 365 days a year for each of you who follow us, support us, and pray for us! The sun is already peeking through the clouds!!!!