Strong spirits: thanks!
Are you more inclined to be grateful or to grumble?
It is Thanksgiving week, and so that would seem a good topic to consider. How thankful are you? What are you thankful for? Are you more inclined to find things to be grateful for or to find things to grumble about? All good questions as we consider giving thanks.
Some thoughts: Thanks and trust are closely related. I can give thanks even in tough times if I trust that God is in charge and working for my good. Thanks and joy are closely related. The more grateful I am, the more joy I have. Both can be had by choosing them over the opposite. Thanks and humility are closely related. To be thankful means I realize that what I have is a gift from God.
Paul writes: "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) The Psalmist writes: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him." (Psalm 100:4) God wants us to be grateful in all circumstances, and promises that our thanks will bring us right into his presence. When we consider all that God has done for us, giving him thanks is the least we can do!
It's a big deal! Be thankful!
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
