1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

This Thanksgiving Day, I would like to suggest a novel idea: be thankful. Be thankful not just in theory or just because you're supposed to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but because you are thankful in your heart, no matter what your circumstances are. The verse above is actually a command, and it's one that aligns with the very will of God. But how can you be thankful in your heart, meaning truly thankful, in all circumstances? You can do it by choosing, with the Lord's help, to see things as God sees them.

How does God see things? He sees things through the lens of His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). We know from scripture that God's intention for us as His children is to bless us by prospering us and giving us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). We also know that Jesus told us that we would have trouble here on this earth but that we shouldn't fear because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We also know that God is sovereign and that His will is what prevails in the end (Proverbs 19:21). With all of this scripture as evidence, we can confidently believe and know that whatever life throws at us in the form of problems, trouble or danger, we are going to be more than okay because He, in the providential way that He does things, will work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). If this is the case (and it is!), then we can be thankful in all circumstances, knowing that God is with us and for us.

But even if I didn't include the paragraph above, which explains why we can be thankful in all circumstances, how about the best reason of all to be thankful? The best reason of all is that Jesus found us and rescued us. He cleaned our filthiness away by forgiving ALL of our sins and He declared us to be holy in His sight through the blood of Jesus. But it gets better. Our Lord Jesus promised to not only never leave us or forsake us, but to live in us in the most intimate relationship ever known to humankind. And it just so happens that the intimacy that He allows us to have with Him is the one thing that our souls search for that nothing else comes close to fulfilling. But it doesn't even end there. One day, we will be with Jesus in heaven, when there will be no more sorrow, trouble or pain and where we will live with Him forever and ever. So even if things are not the best at this current moment, be joyful and thankful because our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). This Thanksgiving don't just give lip service to your thanksgiving, but let it come from the depth of your heart and soul no matter what is going on in your life as you remind yourself that you have the greatest treasure that exists and that no one can take away. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Joey Vazquez