For many of us the holidays are hard: the empty seat at the table, family tensions, and feeling stressed with so much to do. It’s a time when we put on smiles, but the weight inside can be crushing us.

Discouragement and frustration can lead us down a bitter road, a pathway that manifests itself in complaining, arguing, judging, and sour attitudes. But the Bible tells us that this is not how we’re supposed to live.

There’s a reason why Paul tells us to “Be thankful in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

So, why be thankful? Here’s a few good reasons…

It’s Christ’s will!

Something tells me that you, like me, want to please God in every area of your life. We long to have Jesus’ favor poured out on us. I love that the Bible gives us specifics on how to do that. One way is to walk inside of Christ’s will, not outside.

So, let’s finish the verse from above: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Sometimes the Bible is clear on what God’s will is and this is one of those times.

The apostle Paul said that the gifts the church at Philippi sent to him were a “fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

Imagine how God loves to breathe in the sweet aroma coming from the thankful places of our heart.

What a fragrance.

We need to learn to be thankful in all circumstances.

Sign up for our ONLINE Bible study on Ruth…

It redirects our focus!

I used to have SEVERE anxiety (panic) attacks. They were so bad I thought the walls were going to cave in on me. For those of you who know what they feel like, you know they can incapacitate you. Sometimes you feel like you’re going to die. Did you know that fear comes from the perceived thoughts of something bad happening? Fear is actually formed in your thoughts. 

Redirecting our focus can bring us peace and assurance. And learning to be thankful can surely redirect our focus.

The Bible is filled with verses that tell us to think on good things. Why do you think God spends so much time talking about this? Well, look at it this way… God wants us to live a victorious full life in Christ. A wrong focus can keep us bound up and living in captivity. But a right focus can guide us to freedom without constraints.

Paul writes: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

We need to learn to be thankful in all circumstances. 

It reminds us!

Several years ago, my church placed a huge trunk at the front of the worship center and for weeks, people came forward and dropped their God-sized prayer requests into it. These were requests that seemed way too big for them to handle, but ones they trusted God to handle. I put four of my own in. Reflecting on our topic, I was taken back to that day and I’ve seen God answer them His way and in His timing. Of course, He’s still working. But I was reminded that He has been orchestrating my life – and the lives of my loved ones – since I came into this world and will continue to do so until I’m taken home. How thankful I am. 

It’s easy to be thankful when things are going well. But when we say, “Thank you, Lord,” in the midst of struggles is when God is truly glorified. Being thankful forces us to remember. It reminds us of who God is, how He has worked in our life, and how He has been with us.

The Psalmist writes: “Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1)! 

We need to learn to be thankful in all circumstances.

It gives us hope!

Recently, I watched an interview by a former Christian-turned-atheist. Growing up in a Christian home, he always believed in eternal life. But after a terrible accident, he began to question the Bible and his Christian roots. Finally, he renounced his faith and became a humanist. Now, he travels around the world and tells people that God is not real and that this life is all there is, so they need to make it good.

Friends, this is someone without hope. And he’s leading many down this destructive pathway.

We all need hope. We need hope that things will get better. We need hope that our children will be okay. We need hope that our decisions will pay off in the end. And we surely need hope that there’s more than just this life. **Of course, the Bible tells us that when we put our faith in Jesus, He offers us eternal life in heaven (John 1:12).

But it’s easy to lose hope, especially when things don’t seem to be getting better. But being thankful can give us hope! Having a thankful spirit can surely lift us out of a pit of despair and give us something to look forward to.

Ponder these words: “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise” (Psalm 95:2). 

We need to learn to be thankful in all circumstances. 

I hope this message encouraged you today as we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving this week. And I hope you’ll join us for an INCREDIBLE ONLINE Bible study in January in the book of RUTH. It is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s a book filled with awesome stuff. And best of all, I’m offering it free of charge. You can sign up here… 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving,