2020 Update: We’re heading into Thanksgiving tomorrow. It’s probably an understatement to say this year has been unlike any other that we’ve known. Pandemics, elections, social unrest, businesses closing, job losses, economic struggles, schools meeting in person, I mean, as a hybrid model, I mean, online, I mean… I can’t even keep track anymore.
Of all the Thanksgivings we’ve experienced, this one could honestly be the toughest to celebrate. It’s probably safe to say that for most of us 2020 hasn’t gone better than we planned or hoped. It would be really easy to look at all of the ways this year has frustrated us, disappointed us, and caused us to live in ways we really wouldn’t have chosen and don’t care for. It’s possible this year has even been the hardest year you’ve ever had.
I would imagine, for many, the idea of pausing to give thanks in the midst of these circumstances would be one of the last things they want to do. Maybe we could just kind of gloss over this whole Thanksgiving thing this year. Eat some turkey and pie, watch some football or a movie, start decorating for Christmas, and distract ourselves from the world for a day. That temptation is real, especially in 2020.
While that might be the easy way to “celebrate” Thanksgiving this year, it would tragically miss the point of the reason this day exists. We intentionally set aside a day in late November every year to literally Give Thanks.
While Thanksgiving is an American holiday, this isn’t just an American idea. Being intentional about giving thanks is a Biblical idea.
In 1 Thessalonians, we’re instructed to:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (Emphasis mine) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Honestly, I kind of wish that was worded differently. If God had tasked me with writing this letter to the Thessalonian church, I probably would have written, “give thanks in good circumstances”. After all, when things are good, it’s right to be thankful and appreciate what we have.
Thankfully, God did not ask me to pen the letter, and what He inspired Paul to write is much, much better, but much, much harder. God desires us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. Seriously, all? What about when we’re in the middle of a pandemic, or during a contentious election year, or when there’s social unrest, or when businesses are closing and people are losing their jobs, or when the economy is struggling, or when schooling feels like chaos? Yup. Each of those circumstances falls in the ALL category.
This kind of feels like an impossible ask. Thankfully, the instruction isn’t to give thanks FOR all circumstances. That certainly is an impossible ask. We’re asked to give thanks IN all circumstances, and when we take some time to stop and reflect, I believe giving thanks in all circumstances isn’t as hard as it sounds on the surface.
So, in the midst of a really hard year and unpleasant circumstances, how are we able to give thanks? The late evangelist, Billy Graham, wrote a great article about how we can do that. I encourage you to read the whole thing. He concludes the article with 5 thoughts about how we can give thanks in all circumstances, and I’d like to pass them along to you.
Thank God for the Material Blessings That He Gives You
Thank God for the People in Your Life
Thank God in the Midst of Trials and Even Persecution
Thank God Especially for His Salvation in Jesus Christ
Thank God for His Continued Presence and Power in Your Life
In a year when our culture might struggle to truly be thankful, followers of Jesus have a great opportunity to express genuine thankfulness in the midst of their circumstances. How can you show a hurting world how thankful you are this Thanksgiving Day?
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