What do you mean be thankful?

This Thanksgiving it will be hard for some to find things to be thankful about. The news is full of stories about the government's efforts to keep the economy from collapsing, hard working people trying to make a living, families loosing their homes, a wars that go on and on and the bad news goes on and on. In my practice I listen to people with serious health issues, with emotional problems and relationships falling apart.

How can we be thankful when there are so many bad things going on? What can I say to a person facing difficult times? I begin by suggesting they remember to find the things they can be thankful for. The Bible tells us over and over to give thanks.
Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

When Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a National Holiday the Civil War was still going on and many wondered what they had to be thankful for.

As we go through life we often view the world as it looks from the window of a train going down the tracks. What we see is limited to just what is outside the window from the tracks. We need to remember God sees the world like an eagle high in the sky. God is able to take in the whole scheme of things and yet see the smallest details of our lives. If we seek God's perspective we can see the whole picture of our lives and the lives of those around us. By doing this we can begin to make sense of what is happening to us and and our final destination.

In my own life I can look back now at the difficult times and see how God used those experiences to strengthen my faith and to help me to have better understanding of what others are going through. In the end the difficult times prepared me to be a better counselor. What are the difficult times preparing you for?

As we begin to find the things we can be thankful for it can help us find healing in our hearts and peace can fill out heart and soul. Try taking just 15 minutes to pray, to listen to God and give thanks each day for the next month.

If you take my challenge email me, mark@independencecounselor.com, or post your comments here about what happens in your life.