What if it isn’t a happy Thanksgiving? What if you’ve already had two snow storms with school cancellations, your favorite time of year is prematurely over, and you dread a long, cold winter.
Okay…that was me being overly dramatic and feeling sorry for myself. I’ve come around. But seriously. There are people out there this Thanksgiving will real problems. Perhaps this is your first Thanksgiving without a loved one. Or you’ve lost a job. Or you’re in the process of getting a divorce. Or you’ve recently filed bankruptcy. Or your relationship with a spouse, parent, or child is in turmoil. Or you simply don’t have somewhere to go this Thanksgiving.
I’ve been in many of these positions. And I won’t sugar-coat it. It sucks.
But what if you didn’t have to feel so bad? What if you could have peace and joy despite your circumstances?
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
That’s the key. If you know Christ as your Savior, if you want His peace to rule in your heart despite circumstances, you need to let Him.
I’m preaching to the choir, of course. This is a reminder I continually need. Yet, I’m grateful that I’m reminded and my moments of self-pity don’t last as long as they used to. And yes, it’s much easier to say this when life is actually pretty good. I’m not going through any of those trials mentioned above. It’s so much easier said than done…but it is possible…if you let Him.
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! – Habakkuk 3:17-18
It’s a choice. That’s all it’s ever been…that’s all it ever will be. What we choose. It starts with the choice to accept Christ as our Savior or not. From then on, each day, moment-by-moment, we have a choice. Will will tap into that power that lives within us? Will we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts? Or will we give in to our flesh and focus on our feelings regarding the circumstances surrounding us.
I don’t know about you, but this is my battle. Making the right choice every time I’m tempted to be unhappy about something or give in to self-pity when things aren’t going as I’d hoped.
I want to choose to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. I want to choose to rejoice when things aren’t going my way….to choose joy.
How about you?
As I said, easier said than done. So what are some practical ways to do this?
STEP #1: Pray
Always…always…always start with prayer. When you ask God for help, you’re connecting with Him, knitting your heart with His, trusting Him, letting Him set your path straight.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:5-6
STEP #2: Count your blessings
Make a list of all the things you have. If you’re reading this online you probably have internet connection. That means you either can afford it or someone is providing it for you. That probably means you have a roof over your head. If you’re reading this, you’ve received an education. You probably still have your eyesight. Your fingers probably function. You have breath in your lungs.
Make a list. Sometimes we don’t realize how much we have until we write it down.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. – Psalm 103:2
STEP #3: Remember what God has done for you
That last verse ties in with this one two. Really, steps 2 and 3 are the same with one subtle but major difference. Take that list you wrote of all the things you’re thankful for, and attribute them to God. Then thank Him.
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. – James 1:17
I don’t know about you, but I feel much better. God has done so much for me, how can I be anything but thankful? How about you?
I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the peace and joy of Christ.
You are loved,
J F Rogers