Thanksgiving is a time when we take stock of everything you have and give thanks to God for his abundant blessings. A time to be thankful for what you have, no matter how much, or how little you have.
This year has been very challenging for everyone. As you approach this Thanksgiving holiday, it’s hard to be thankful for 2020. Yet Paul tells you to give thanks in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:20). This includes 2020.
There are three ways to cultivate a thankful heart this year.
- Notice God’s Blessings
His blessings are all around you, but you need to pay attention. Find one thing to be thankful for each day. It could be something simple like the sunshine or something deeper, like someone you know tested negative for Covid. Notice what you are thankful for throughout the day.
2. Gratitude Journal
Write down the things you are thankful for. This is important because it becomes an incredible resource to remembering how God has blessed you throughout the year. The times when you are discouraged, it’s helpful to go back and read your thankfulness journal to remember God’s abundant blessings on your life.
3. God’s Encouragement
God uses your journal to encourage and inspire you through difficult times. As you seek and give thanks for blessings, you see more blessings to give thanks for. The effect of the first two steps snowballs as you continue to do them. This is what gives you the ability to give thanks in all circumstances. You find God’s blessings sprinkled amidst the hard and messy times of life, including a pandemic.
As Covid continues to spread this holiday season, I would encourage you to seek God’s blessings and give thanks despite the messiness of life right now. God will encourage and strengthen you through this gratitude practice.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.