…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I have been thinking a lot about it lately. I find myself thanking God for everything around me, big or small; the ability to breathe, walk, hear, and see. I thank him for the trees, the roads we drive on, clean water, clean air, my job, my purpose in life…you name it. I thank God for the squirrels, rabbits, birds, and every living creature that helps to balance our eco-systems. I thank God for all the support systems that are in place to help make our lives better. I even thank God for some of the trials and challenges along the way. I approach each day with deep gratitude. We are among the most blessed people on this earth.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul reminds the Thessalonians to give thanks in all circumstances. He does not tell them to “feel” thankful but to “give” thanks. Paul knew from his own personal experience that there are times in life when we do not feel thankful, but giving thanks changes our perspective on so many things in our lives. I know from personal experience that when I give thanks, it changes the way I feel.

The Hebrew term for gratitude (giving thanks) is hakarat ha’tov, which literally translates to: “recognizing the good.” As we begin to “hakarat ha’tov,” even in small ways, it will undoubtedly lead us to noticing the good in other areas of our lives. Gratitude affirms and acknowledges that everything good comes God and gratitude has a way of multiplying. As we profess gratitude, we will find more reasons to be thankful.

As we begin this new week, let us find at least five things we can thank God for every day. Let us thank him not just for the blessings, but also for the challenges we encounter daily. All these things and circumstances are for the perfecting of our faith. As Paul puts it in Romans 8:28, “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”