1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV84)
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
When Spencer came home from either a mission trip or his solo adventure to Costa Rica, with the attention of all his siblings, he opened the cupboards and asked them if they realized how fortunate they were because they had more food than they could eat in their house. It is not only because of my life experience and travels but also because of my knowledge of the facts that I concur with my then-young son. We are blessed. Many places I travel to have a corner store with fresh eggs, soda, and ultra-processed nutrient-deficient food. This is just one of the things to be grateful for in the West. Most of us live a very good life when it comes to so many things like food. Some complain when they have to travel to a grocery store, saying they live in a food desert. They have no idea what a food desert really is like. In first-world nations, there are still people who live in desperate poverty. I understand the reality of that, but for the vast majority of Westerners, Americans, and Southern Californians, we live like kings and queens. Let's be thankful!
The West has become fixated on what we don't have rather than grateful for what we do have with an eye towards continued progress. We complain about things that aren't perfect. It is worse than the glass-half-empty pessimist; it is a type of brain fog that disconnects us from the reality of our lives. While gratitude journals are increasingly popular, the media is driven by what is wrong in life. The injustices. The tragedies. Even in the church, we complain and divide over things rather than praise God for the life He has given us. We decry the doctrine of prosperity or divine healing while we pay doctors a lot of money to heal us, and we live in a nice place, drive a nice car, and eat nutritious food, as well as pay $4-7 for someone to make us a cup of coffee with a cream heart on the surface. My friends, we are wealthy in so many ways, and if we are not, we can become wealthy with our opportunities, which is why people have flocked to the U.S. for over a century. We have so much to be grateful for. It's not perfect, and I realize it could be better, but it is pretty good in most places.
If you have a family that loves each other, you are rich! Que Rico! If you have friends that care, you are fortunate. If you don't, you can find some. Some apps help you connect with people of similar interests, and I know this is old school, but there are good churches out there that welcome the disconnected person into their congregation and build relationships with them that can nearly be as close as a family. I know that I am one of the richest people in our nation with my family. I am so blessed. I may not have a bunch of "cash," but I have an incredible family. I understand that some people have a terrible relationship with their toxic family, and this time of year has a dread attached to it. Do like my friend Paul says, "Go where you are celebrated." The opportunities are there. There is so much hope!
This blog may be more of a shake-up than encouragement, but I want to say to all, including myself, to focus on what you have and not on what you don't. One reason for divorce is that we focus on what we don't like about our spouse instead of what we love. We focus on what drives us crazy about our child instead of the beauty we have always known was there. We give constant attention to the negative things of life rather than thank Jesus for the things that are going well. Let's direct our attention to the good and be grateful. This doesn't mean we act blind to the things that need to be fixed, changed, or improved or that the reality of our past hurts. It does mean being intentional about what you allow your mind to think about and the mental real estate you give it in your brain.
Psalm 106:1 (NIV84)
1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
The one constant thing we all have access to is the love of Father God. To know this love is world-changing. To experience His love is revolutionary to the soul. It is the light of day. It is the warmth of the sun. His love changes everything. When life is against you, and everything goes wrong, His love remains constant. It never ever changes. I am so wrecked by revelation after revelation of His deep love, grace, and mercy towards me. His kindness. The hope of a face-to-face encounter when this life is over. This, above all, is reason for gratitude. My hope for you is:
Ephesians 3:16–19 (TPT)
16 And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. 17 Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. 18 Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
I pray you would not only experience that but also that God would reveal all the blessings in your life and that you would inventory them. List them one by one. Speak them to a spouse or friend. We all have much to be thankful for. So, let's give thanks.
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