A Habit of Thanksgiving

During COVID, Yale offered a free six-week happiness class.  The class taught you to list three or five things you are thankful for daily and your happiness would increase.

In the same way, the Bible reminds you to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18) because the Lord is good (1 Chron. 16:34). You are to watch, pray, and give thanks (Col.4:2).

How often do you count your blessings and list all you could give thanks for as you drive, work, walk, and scroll?

During Thanksgiving, lift up three things you are thankful for as often as you sit down to eat. He is a good God, and He is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise. Salt your meals with prayers for all the good things He has done and all the loved ones He has made.

If you are hurting and cannot find anything to be thankful for, look to the Lord. Open scripture and give thanks for what you find.

Praise the Lord for creation, for making men and women (Gen. 1-2). Praise the Lord that He spared Noah in the flood (Gen. 6) and delivered him (Gen.8). Be thankful that Abraham followed the instructions of God (Gen. 17). Give thanks that King David danced before the Lord (2 Sam. 6:14-22). Praise the Lord that Mary carried Christ safely to term and escaped from King Herod (Matt. 2). Give thanks to Christ Jesus, who stood against the temptations of evil (Luke 4:1-13). Give thanks that Saul came to salvation (Acts 9). Give thanks because you live in a time where you can easily read scripture for yourself and are blessed to own a Bible.

Begin with scripture, turn to nearly any page, and give thanks for the good things that the Lord has done. Because He never changes. God is still good, and He is still seated on the throne. Give thanks, most of all, for that!

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