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choose to be thankful


Thanksgiving is just a few days away.  We have much to be thankful for, but we also need to understand what being thankful does to our attitude and how we deal with others.

The real meaning of Thanksgiving, or at least what Webster’s dictionary says… a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness, the act of giving thanks, or a prayer expressing gratitude.  Sounds pretty good but there is more to it.

Choose to Be thankful.  It is a command from God.  Being thankful is a result of enjoying life or having joy in life.  Selflessness is one part of life that has gratitude flowing from it.

1 Thessalonians 5:18  NLT
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Some of the things we are to be thankful for are hard.  When we go through pain and struggles, it is hard to be thankful, but God uses the pain.  He will use it for us and for others.

2 Corinthians 1:4  NLT
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

There is great reward and joy when you are able to enrich the lives of others.  God uses our situations and our hearts for His glory.  Those things connect to God and to other people.

My prayer is that I will be thankful even when it isn’t easy.  May God help us grow and change us when needed.

Romans 5:5  NIV
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,

Romans 5:13  NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Filled with joy and peace we will be thankful!  Choose to be thankful.
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