As we approach Thanksgiving, I can’t help but push aside tasks and to-do’s for the sake of writing this blog post.

Thanks … giving.

Giving Thanks.

What are you thankful for?

I desire that thankfulness would be a core value in our family, but it goes without saying that this isn’t something that just naturally happens. Why? Because we’re sinners, that’s why. Five people co-existing under one roof means that five people each have their own lists of hopes, desires, and needs that they wish to be fulfilled on any given day. Needless to say our lists don’t always align with each others’! Being one member of a family will inevitably mean that you sometimes don’t get what you want. And this is a GOOD thing. Lord knows we need frequent reminders that we are not the center of the universe.

Whenever I’m fighting for thankfulness, there is one idea that continually shapes my view and helps shift my own heart out of a state of fleshly self-pity into an attitude of gratitude…

Thankfulness is all about perspective.

There will always be people who have it better than me and there will always be people who have it worse than me.

When I’m up in the middle of the night taking care of my sick children I have the choice to either grumble or give thanks. 

I will grumble when I think of all the other moms out there sleeping soundly. But I will give thanks when I consider all of the women I know who desperately desire a child to care for in the middle of the night. 

Who am I to deserve such a blessing while others live in want?

 

When the laundry piles up, the house turns messy, and the cooking never ends I have the choice to either grumble or give thanks. 

I will grumble when I think of those whose households operate differently and their work seems lighter. But I will give thanks when I consider those in poverty whose laundry never has the chance to pile up, nor house to become dirty, and no food that needs cooking. 

Who am I to deserve a warm house filled with things that make it messy, clothes upon clothes, and a pantry full of food to fill our bellies again and again?

When relational struggles plague my mind I have the choice to either grumble or give thanks.

I will grumble when I think that life would be so much easier if so and so were just a little more this way or that way. But I will give thanks when I consider the fact that millions of people don’t have time for these kinds of struggles because they’re simply living in survival mode. 

Who am I to deserve such ease of life that I can afford to spend time building and working on relationships?

When physical fitness is a necessary discipline for my health I have the choice to either grumble or give thanks.
I will grumble when I compare my body, my diet, and my exercise routine to those whom I consider more physically fit than myself. But I will give thanks when I think of those who are disabled, handicapped, or plagued by debilitating sickness that keeps them from being able to enjoy physical activity and exercise freely. 

Who am I to deserve a body that can move, run, bike, jump, and climb without pain?

I could keep going. You know I could! But you get the point…

Comparing our situations and circumstances to those around us can produce either grumbling or gratefulness. But, while this habit of healthy comparison might give us some perspective in life it isn’t actually the source of true contentment or gratitude.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

ALL circumstances? Really…

The Apostle Paul, who penned these potent words, had experienced both success and suffering in his lifetime. He had been both the persecutor and the persecuted. He had lived under both luxury and labor. He had been both honored and hated.

And he says of himself,

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phillipians 4:12)

Wow.
Wouldn’t you like to be able to say that about yourself?…
That you know the secret of being content in every situation and circumstance of life?

I would.

So, are you curious what the secret is?

Well, this is what Paul said next…

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.“

That is the secret.

God has put you and I exactly where He wants us, given us exactly what we need,
and called us to do exactly what He asks each of us to do… on purpose… there is no
accident and no error in His sovereignty over our life’s circumstances. And amidst each of our unique circumstances, with individual struggles, and difficult relationships we can all come to the same declaration that Paul came to.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Thankfulness doesn’t come through having an abundance to be thankful for.

Contentment doesn’t come through great circumstances. 

Gratefulness isn’t the result of getting all that we hope for.

Thankfulness arises when we realize that we’re blessed beyond measure through receiving the undeserved gift of Jesus Christ.
Contentment is cultivated when we lift our eyes off the things of this earth and become captivated by the One who makes the earth His footstool.
Gratefulness grows through giving up our life for the glory of someone Greater.

In this season of Giving Thanks, I hope that you will join me in taking hold of this secret and make it your own declaration!

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”