Gratitude and Thanksgiving ~

On my previous post I shared a grim reality that we all seem to be living in. I also shared briefly the need and importance of restoration.  To myself and a friend, I questioned if I sounded harsh for my intent was to share what many are experiencing and with the understanding that this is not where you need to stay.

Last month I read the importance of having gratitude in a very well done article from Epoch Times on How Gratitude Can Help With Students Anxiety, written by Emily J. Campbell. This is something that seems lacking in people across the globe. I believe we here in the west take for granted all the freedoms we have and as poor as we can be spiritually or materially it does not come close to the poverty of worn torn villages that live under the oppression of dictators and terrorists. We all have much to be thankful for in this great country of ours even with all what we are watching that is heartbreaking. On a spiritual note, those in other countries where you are forbidden to practice your faith (say Christianity), where you live in hiding with no freedom allowed, to do so is enforced by a brutal hand of affliction even death to those that do not comply. Thank God we still live as free men and women no matter what your viewpoint might be. 

I think this is why it is so hard to see the indignation of people wanting to change or remove those freedoms we so enjoy -  that our Founding Fathers wrote in the Constitution and that we are BLESSED to have from God above. Why is it that others pray for and dream of that freedom we enjoy here? Why would people desire to come to what they are already suffering from? Why would people from these oppressed countries want the United States to succeed in the most recent Peace treaties? Only to have fear of our great nation resort back to status quo?  

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have often said it's my most favorite of holidays we have to remember and celebrate the freedoms we have especially - Religious freedoms and for all. When I think of privilege I do not think in the same manner some would accuse others of.  In my heart and how I feel about what we all enjoy and have in our great country we are all privileged to have no matter what our skin color is or background we come from.

It is time we learn the meaning of gratitude -  and what it is to be thankful ~

The Bible tells us to -- Be joyful always; pray continually; giving thanks(be thankful) in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  Colossians 4:2 NIV

What we are seeing.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Romans 1:21 BSB

The Bible was given to believers for remembrance in how they are to live and what we have through Jesus. This comes to those who accept that free gift mentioned in my previous post. The world does not know Him or necessarily understand a follower who believes in a relationship verses following a religion. But, Jesus paid a price for ALL the world and it cost Him everything! 

I am so thankful I reached for His hand years ago and this is why I am not fearful of what I am living through in this storm and have a peace only He can give.  We all are going through a storm but not all of us are in the same ship.

Links of interest.

Pilgrim Hall Museum 

Thoughts for Thanksgiving by Derek Prince it is an old broadcast series  (5) all 12 minutes in length still very good and timely.

Your Anchor my post earlier this year.

I pray everyone has a safe, blessed Thanksgiving VB