Thanksgiving Day is primarily an American holiday tradition, but I think we can all have a great day of giving thanks.
In America, Thanksgiving was started by the Pilgrims, who traveled from England to "the New World," meeting the Native Americans, who helped the new comers survive in the strange land. Together, the Pilgrims and Native Americans ate of their crops, giving thanks to God for their positive turn of events, after months of misery and death.
Today, we celebrate with eating, games, parades, and more eating. We forget how blessed we really are in these modern times, and who to thank for these blessings.
This is a great chapter, out of Psalms, for knowing who it is we should give our thanks to:
"Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalms 100:1-5
If you feel like you have nothing to be thankful for, think of these verses:
"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ..." Philippians 4:6
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ..." Philippians 4:1
Notice that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks IN everything, not FOR everything. So, how do you give thanks in everything? By finding something to be thankful for, something that God has made good out of the bad.
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Our troubles bring us closer to God, and makes us stronger in our faith.
If there seems to be no reason to thank God, think about how He is still in control, and knows what is best for you, still loving you, no matter what. That is definitely something to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Elizabeth :)
Jesus Loves You! <3
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