Thankful in 2020

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

There’s always a reason to be thankful, even when things don’t go our way and circumstances are not ideal. 2020 has been that kind of year for all of us. As we race toward the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s work overtime to show our gratitude for everything God has done in our lives. Despite the challenges of the year, we are very blessed!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NASB

In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NASB

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:3-4 NASB

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7-8 NASB

Let’s be thankful for the love of God and for all that Jesus has done for us. That’s a great place to start!

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 NASB

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 NASB

The Creator of the universe is listening when we pray! He hears us and acts on our behalf. There’s a reason to be thankful!

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NASB

God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NASB

Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NASB

God has pledged, to us, his support. He is there for you when the world is falling apart! We can thank him for that!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-3 NLT

The truth is, when we struggle through years like 2020, our faith has a chance to grow. In fact, it’s safe to say, we seek God more in the difficult moments than any other time; perhaps, that may be the biggest blessing that accompanies trials. God offers us a chance to know Him, to enjoy a close relationship with Him, yet we, so often, allow life to distract us and divert our attention from God to things that really don’t matter.  That’s not the case when the pain of life drops us to our knees.

James tells us that when our endurance is fully developed, we will be perfect and complete lacking nothing. In other words, we will be completely satisfied, content and enjoying life as God intended. He is the only one who can give us complete joy, but instead we waste time pursuing things that never bring us lasting joy. Perhaps this year, we can weed out some of those distractions. Take advantage of the opportunity to draw close to God and to work through the challenges of this year with Him. As we do that, God will not only bring us through 2020, but will also fill us with great joy! Isn’t that the goal?

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NASB

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

Will you take a moment to thank Him for everything happening in your life today? Will you ask Him to help you appreciate all of it, even the struggles? Will you take inventory of all the spiritual blessings we have in him? Will you draw close to Him and allow Him to renew your hope and restore your joy in spite of the challenges this year has brought us?