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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cIn everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
1 Thessalonians 5:18<\/p>\n
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People typically associate Thanksgiving<\/strong> with a holiday in the USA. Thanksgiving is a time when families come together to count their blessings and give thanks to God. Although it is good to have a holiday, thanksgiving should always be in season! Why? Giving thanks is God\u2019s will, and it\u2019s good for you! Thankfulness can help to release God\u2019s abundance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Christians are sometimes concerned about God\u2019s will<\/strong>, and rightly so. What God wants is not only right, but it\u2019s also the best thing for us. This verse spells out one aspect of God\u2019s will that is very clear\u2014just be thankful! This involves being thankful to God in every situation, under every circumstance, regardless of the outcome. And by all means, give thanks to God with a grateful heart!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, the exhortation to be thankful<\/strong> in everything requires more than lip service. God does not want us to honor Him merely with our lips, while our hearts are far from Him. The kind of thankfulness God desires must stem from a grateful heart. True thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart. Such an attitude of gratitude toward God is God\u2019s will for your life!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How is it possible to have such an attitude of gratitude?<\/strong> It is only possible with God, who makes all things possible. The presence of God\u2019s Spirit within you makes it possible for you to have an entirely different perspective on life. When you see that God is in you and that He is in your circumstances, it changes everything. Since God is in you, as well as in your circumstances, you can be assured that His higher purposes (which are always in your best interest) will prevail. Thus, God will take care of you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of course, you won\u2019t always feel like giving thanks<\/strong> with your emotions, or even understand it with your mind. But that\u2019s OK, because in your heart you will know that giving thanks is the right thing to do. God has made that clear from this verse of Scripture. Such thankfulness requires a faith response.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you open your mouth in faith to express thanksgiving,<\/strong> God will give you an attitude of gratitude. He will enable you to be thankful. He will give you a grateful heart and fill your mouth with words of thanksgiving. So, be sure to give thanks in all things. It will make all the difference! You\u2019ll be glad you did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHeavenly Father,<\/strong> it is hard to be thankful when faced with so many negative things. Nevertheless, Your will is for me to give thanks in all things. Therefore, since I am in union with Christ, I ask You to cause me to be thankful. As I live in dependence on Christ, I know whatever comes into my life is Your will for my life. You are in control of me and everything that happens to me. So, I trust You to enable me to handle whatever comes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Lewis W. Gregory \u00a9 2026<\/p>\n