Take the quiz to see what you know about traditional Thanksgiving food!1
Fifty percent of whole turkeys sold throughout the year are sold at Thanksgiving. That’s 40 million turkeys! Along with our turkey, we spend $96 million to serve stuffing exclusively on this holiday.
Did you guess that we buy 32.2 million rolls to eat with our dinner? What about our casserole? The recipe that tops the charts is the green bean casserole published by Campbell’s in 1955. It’s served in over 20 million homes.
Last but not least is our dessert. If you thought the old American apple pie was the favorite, sorry. Pumpkin pie wins the contest!
It’s easy to be thankful for good things like Thanksgiving food and traditions. But what about the other 364 days of the year? The scripture tells us to be thankful for everything. Really?? Everything??
In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Who wants to be thankful for sickness, disasters, rising prices and adversities?
WHY SHOULD WE BE THANKFUL?
1. IT’S HEALTHY!
Science shows that being thankful positively affects our mental and physical health. How?
Thankfulness:
Lowers anxiety
Lessens depression
Improves sleep
Relieves stress
Promotes heart health
2. IT FOLLOWS JESUS’ EXAMPLE!
Have you ever noticed that Jesus always gave thanks before meals? He was showing us to be thankful for provision and how to act in faith.
3. IT’S AN ACT OF FAITH!
Isn’t giving thanks before seeing victory, saying that we have faith that the Lord will be victorious? Remember the measly 7 loaves and fishes? Jesus showed us how to act in faith by giving thanks before seeing the food multiplied to feed 4,000 people.
He took the seven loaves and the fish;
and after giving thanks, He broke them.
And He began giving them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds.
And they all ate and were satisfied.
And they picked up the broken pieces left over—seven baskets full,
Matthew 15:36-37
4. IT’S AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE!
Being thankful by faith and obedience, even in the midst of adversity, can yield amazing results.
Look at Jonah!
God instructed Jonah to tell the people of Ninevah to turn from evil back to God. However, Jonah was not obedient. He hopped on a boat to flee! God brought a storm frightening the crew who threw Jonah overboard. Yet Jonah didn’t drown because God sent a great fish to swallow him!
For three days Jonah stewed. After all, his accommodations were not like the Ritz-Carlton. But then, Jonah was thankful.
But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord,
Jonah 2:9
What was Jonah thankful for?
Perhaps for what he learned.
From fleeing Jonah learned that God never left him.
When swallowed he learned that God protected him.
What resulted from Jonah’s thankfulness & obedience?
Besides his release from the fish, through his obedient preaching Ninevah was saved.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways,
He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened,
Jonah 3:10 NIV
WHAT ABOUT OUR ADVERSITY?
We may not be stuck in a fish’s belly like Jonah, but we too can find something to be thankful for in adversity.
It’s not easy, but perhaps answering these questions will help us to be thankful.
What is adversity teaching us?
Has it grown our patience, compassion or faith?
Has it drawn someone else to Jesus?
Has it brought our family together?
LET’S BE THANKFUL!
HOW?
1. COUNT OUR BLESSINGS
Giving thanks for at least one blessing each day is a step towards better health, stronger faith & obedience. It doesn’t matter how small the blessing seems, count it!
Writing blessings down imprints them in our minds. It also bolsters our spirits reminding us of all the good gifts the Lord gives, (James 1:17).
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits, Psalm 103:2
2. FOCUS ON BLESSINGS
At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus acknowledged His betrayal and crucifixion. Yet, He looked forward to His time with the disciples with “fervent desire,” (Luke 22:15).
Jesus’ focus must have been on the blessings of His time with the disciples He loved rather than the adversity in His future.
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks,
and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,
Matthew 26:27
3. EXPRESS IT!
Doesn’t receiving a “thank you” make us feel noticed and appreciated? Doesn’t relaying a “thank you” make us feel good about ourselves? So, share the love! Don’t forget about Jesus! He would probably appreciate thanks too.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good! For His mercy endures forever,
1 Chronicles 16:34
TAKE THE THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE!
BE THANKFUL FOR
1 NEW THING EACH DAY
FOR 30 DAYS!
“The more we practice gratitude,
the more dopamine (the feel-good hormone), is released, reinforcing the behavior and enhancing our overall sense of well-being.” 2
REFLECTION
What can you be thankful for?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and say it aloud, open my eyes to recognize all that I have to be thankful for. Thank you for who You are and what You have done. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH GIVE THANKS!
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 financebuzz.com
2 centerforneurolwellness.com
Photo turkey, Anu Albert
Photo Jonah, Ken Williams
Photo family, Ioann Mark
