The Renewal Power of Thanksgiving
New days give us the chance to see things differently, to shake the dust off and think again. Having an attitude of gratitude helps to support moving forward gestures. However grateful we can be, there are times when giving thanks can be difficult. Where we really have to search and be intentional about it – and not let any sinister comments deflate good thoughts.
Moving forward after disappointments, past failures, hurts and pain is a process. Getting stuck in what has happened can lead to unwanted pitfalls – places where a shadow of concern can shake our confidence and turn our hopes into fleeting gasps.
The good news is that God can make something beautiful out of the ashes of the past – and the past does not have to dictate the future! He is the same on our best days as on our worst days and everything in between.
How is this possible and what does it have to do with being thankful? It is the character, compassion and completeness of Jesus that revives hope and makes it personal, straight to your heart and mine. Three points:
- Life can make us feel weighted, as in being under pressure, weak, crushed by sin* or strained by adversity. Hope rises above that confusion when you know that Jesus will embrace, lift, restore and uphold you in your journey (in every season). God will never allow more to fall on you than you can bear.
- The uncertainties of this new normal that Americans face in the world before us can drain spiritual devotion, making the zest of our faith sink low. Nevertheless, the promises of Christ say He is our anchor and our refreshment so that we are not fully consumed with fear. He tends to our hearts to trim, feed, rekindle and supply needed light. When we are feeling low on hope, faith and optimism, Jesus sees us restored to a brilliant shine!
- Our greatest ammunition against discouragement of any kind is this: God will not fail to accomplish His purpose in us. You and I are of value to Him, even when or if there are times when we cannot see it ourselves. He will not quit what He started in you! The Lord is not taken off guard by what happens to you. It is He who knows the end from the beginning and has planned appropriately for your journey in the middle. God tends to take our dark and dismal events and use them to promote His work in us. In other words – we can rest well right in the middle of trouble.
*Sin is viewed as a criminal human act, which violates the rational nature of man as well as God’s nature and his eternal law. In addition, to the 10 commandments, pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and slothfulness are also listed as sin. Christianity’s basic message is about redemption (forgiveness) in Christ.
Our feelings have a lot to do with the building of hope and taking steps of faith based on the hopes we hold within. More good news! What we may feel is wasted God sees as useful, because He can redeem the worst in or around us to bring out the best. This is possible because God considers the condition of our hearts more important than the sacrifices, rituals, service or commitments we make – or the resources we think are necessary for our good.
Doing the self-care work that affects our internal meters is the change that with Jesus overcomes the world. This inward change – keeping hope alive – is the best step towards an attitude of gratitude. This confidence in the Lord will cause our hearts to sing a new song to Him, one of thanksgiving shouted from the mountaintops, proclaiming His praise for what He has done for us, His people!
“A bent reed He will not break off
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not be disheartened or crushed
Until He has established justice on the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.” ~Isaiah 42:3,4 NABC
Hopefully, you will open up the way for giving thanks to bring renewal into your life. Make this year a thanksgiving of heart to hearts, without distress over the traditional gatherings of non-covid19 times. Remember, it’s not about what you have, it’s all about who you are and what you believe. From my house to yours, “Happy Thanksgiving.” May the peace and blessings of God overtake you and your family.
Essentials For Change, Gayle Smith
Thanks so much for the post. Really thank you! Great. Noel Aland Lasonde
Thanks!