With every November comes a renewed sense of thankfulness. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that people tend to express their thankfulness a lot more in November than other months. After all, we do celebrate Thanksgiving every November across the United States.
But does being thankful have to be just a “November thing”? Or can you have an attitude of thankfulness throughout the entire year? I believe you can embrace thankfulness in these 3 ways:
Be thankful in the Small Things. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 says, “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” God is our supplier. He supplies us with so much on a daily basis and it is great to reflect and embrace a heart of thanksgiving in the small things that God provides for us. Whether it is food on the table, friends you have, or a place to call home, we can be thankful for these everyday blessings God provides.- Be thankful for the Challenges. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it say, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Giving thanks in all circumstances sounds good, as long as things are going well. But when things don’t go so well, can we still be thankful. Consider Paul, who wrote this passage. He spent a lot of his life as a missionary in jail, fleeing people who wanted to hurt him, or in court defending his faith in Christ. He is a great example that we can be thankful in all circumstances – the good times and the hard times.
- Be thankful in the Victories. 1 Corinthians 15:17 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When things are going great in life it is easy to forget to be grateful. Christ doesn’t just give us ultimate victory, but all victories both big and small, all the time. When God does provide us with the victories, remember to thank God for them. He is the one who gives us victory.
November is a great time of year to remember all that we have to be thankful for. But, being thankful doesn’t have to be just a “November thing.” It is an attitude you can embrace all throughout the year. Choose to be thankful in the small things, in the challenges, and in the victories. Whether it is in the morning, midday or in the evening, take some time to reflect on your day and give thanks to God for all He did for you and see how an attitude of gratitude can be a great thing.