what are you thankful for?

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It's November, and anyone that is on social media has already seen a million people posting "30 days of Thankful" or something along that line.

Some people find it hard to come up with 30 tangible things for which to be thankful.

Who says it has to be tangible?

I'm reading a book right now One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

So far it is very eye opening, i am sure i will have more on that later, but understand that the basis of the book is "a dare to live fully right where you are".

Holy catfish people! - That means being thankful for everything.

But wait - the first part of today's verse is "be joyful always".

I am sorry, but i find it difficult to be joyful in every circumstance - there is so much sadness, tragedy and pain all around us - how are we supposed to be joyful?

When i have talked to friends that are hurting and tried to put a "count the blessings" spin on an event, i am sometimes met with "how could i give thanks? You don’t know my circumstances. I have absolutely no reason to give thanks for what happened to me".

There is truth in that BUT . . . in not giving thanks we relegate ourselves to the tyranny of a broken and fallen world.

Let me ask you this: where does your heart live?

Is there a constant awareness in your life that God is present?

Is He the unseen but always present companion in all your ups and downs?

OR . . . is God here when it is convenient (like when we hurt) and gone when everything is okay?

True joy comes from knowing we are never alone, remember that prayer is the ongoing conversation we have with God.

Being thankful and seeing the joy in things are the great reminders that we have been blessed no matter what.

The Bible speaks of a fallen creation that needs rescue.

Giving thanks reminds us and aligns us with God’s rescue plan for our lives.

What are you thankful for?

Have a blessed day!