The Thanksgiving Spirit
Ok, so we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK but we are all aware that it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year in America and Canada. This year it is Thursday November 28.
It’s great that a day is set aside so that people are reminded to count the numerous blessings in their lives.
My question is “Why should this be restricted to just one day!?”
For me, trying to live a Christian lifestyle it’s supposed to be a state of mind. Thanksgiving should be more from the depth of our spirit and not just for a limited time.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
If we think carefully about this verse it tells us to be thankful in all circumstances as this is the will of God.
How often do we stop and give thanks for all we have in this life?
The Apostle Paul puts forward the challenge. We must maintain an “Attitude of Gratitude.” This can be a real struggle. Life is hard and there are many circumstances where being thankful wouldn’t be our first response. It isn’t natural for us to maintain gratefulness when life gets tough. We can become discontented. We want something different, better or more.
How easy it is to fall into that trap!
“When this happens … then I will be happy!”
“When I get married, get that car, get that job, that home, then I will be happy.”
We can be so busy trying to get more that we have can forget what we do have.
The apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11, “I learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
So, let us think on this throughout the whole year and try in all circumstances to remember the many blessings God sends us every day we live and to be content and thankful.