Thanksgiving and Praise
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday where we can gather with our family and friends. We get to think about all God has done and focus on all we have to be thankful for. Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down and appreciate all God is doing in our lives. We get to celebrate and feast with the ones we love most. It’s truly amazing!
As great as thanksgiving is, I think this Thanksgiving, God is extending an invitation to us to live in a state of thanksgiving every day. God wants us to live a lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise to Him that is daily and lifelong.
Thanksgiving is not always easy, and sometimes it is a sacrifice. It can be hard to thank God during a bad day or a challenging situation. When I am having a hard time being thankful, it is because I am being selfish and only focusing on myself and my lack. It does not matter how bad my day is; God is still good and worthy of my praise and thanksgiving.
I know that in the middle of any storm or chaos, God is the author of salvation and healing. He did not cause the bad things around me; He is the one who will get me through them and allow me to see His goodness like never before. What the enemy means for harm, God makes good. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20
When I remember what Jesus did for me on calvary, it realigns me and puts every situation into perspective. I can be thankful no matter what I am facing because my situation and circumstances do not dictate who God is or change all that He has done for me.
God is always good.
Jesus died for me.
He is my healer.
He is my protector.
The list goes on and on. I can think of specific instances where He healed my body. I recall when my son's birth ended in an emergency C-section and feeling His peace, knowing He was right there with me, I remember the time money appeared in front of me when we needed food. I think of the times I know He protected me and kept me safe. I meditate on all that He has given me. He has blessed me with a loving husband, a wonderful son, an amazing family, and beautiful friends.
But what blows my mind the most is God’s reckless, radical, beautiful love for me. As the song, Reckless Love says, “Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me, before I took a breath You breathed Your life into me, when I was Your foe still Your love fought for me, when I felt no worth You paid it all for me.” He has been so good and so kind to me.
I know that without Jesus, I would not be able to be with Him forever. I know that without Jesus, I could not boldly enter His presence; I know that without Jesus, I would not know what real love is or looks like.
I understand that before time existed, God had the plan to send Jesus for me. Before I was born, God’s love had already paid the price for my sin and disobedience. Before I was born, He already loved me. I do not have to earn anything, and I can never deserve His love. But I get to receive it as His daughter.
Jesus tore the veil, and I can boldly come to Him every day and at any hour. I have full access to my Father. I get to be in His presence forever; I get to behold His beauty every day, and I get to walk in freedom because of His love.
When I think about all that, thanksgiving overflows from my heart. To live a life of thanksgiving, all I have to do is remind myself of who He is and all He has done. Thanksgiving will always be my natural response when my focus is on Him.
Let today be the start of a lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise to the only one worthy. Psalm 100:4 gives us a road map to live a life of thanksgiving.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Psalm 100:4
Start with thanksgiving.
Praise/celebrate His goodness.
If we start every day with thanksgiving and praise and celebrate Him throughout the day, our lives will look different, and we will see Him like never before.
Will you accept His invitation to live a lifestyle of thanksgiving?
