Giving Thanks

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”  

Psalm 100:4-5 

Although it is not quite yet the month of November, when I often think of Thanksgiving, giving thanks, and counting blessings, I have been reminded how important it is to “give thanks” through all circumstances. And that’s not always easy.  It’s much easier to give thanks when we want to or feel due diligence.  Over the course of the last few weeks, I have seen an overwhelming sense of answers to prayers. It seems they’ve all come at once! Some of these prayers I have been praying for years.  It is so amazing to see the Lord work and to have them fulfilled.

It doesn’t always have to be Thanksgiving to give thanks

I have learned that God surprises us beyond our expectations – in a very miraculous way.  I have realized the importance of waiting patiently and trusting completely in him.  Each day is truly a blessing, and it’s all about a heart of gratitude.

The verse, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it,” has been a daily reminder to me to me lately.  It almost seems too simple, doesn’t it?  I want to make each day count, and I want to be joyful in and through it.  Each day, I ask myself, “Am I thankful for this day?  Am I grateful?”  I have so many blessings beyond measure.  “Have I stopped to thank God for them today? What hard sacrifices do I have to make in my life?” When I compare myself to the life of Jesus, I have had a very easy road. The next question is, “Am I willing to go a step further in my faith?” And lastly, “How much am I willing to give up to accomplish this?”

It can be so easy to get caught up in our daily distractions, news, and general negativity surrounding life… don’t let that swallow up your day, friends.  There is good news in Jesus Christ.  There is much thanks to give with each day.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!