All across our nation, Thanksgiving is a day we set aside in order to do one thing…

Be thankful.

And what usually goes along with it is lots of food, gatherings of family and friends, laughter and fun, times of giving to others in need, maybe some football, and traditions that we’ve recognized through long years.

And sometimes too, there is loneliness. And struggle. Or deep loss. Feelings of hurt and painful circumstances that we may still be trying to hurdle over.

Maybe you’re in a hard place right now. Maybe you feel like God has left you on your own, to fend for yourself, or the battle seems too hard. Maybe there’s never enough money left at the end of the month, and you can’t figure out how to make things work.

No matter what, in it all, be assured that God is with you and He cares. Choose a heart of gratefulness today. Make a list of all that God has blessed and filled your life with, focusing on all that you’ve possibly even taken for granted at times. Trust that He knows what concerns you and is at work even now, to bring you through this uncertain season. Thank Him for providing all you need, and even what you don’t know all that you need for what’s still ahead.

He knows what concerns you and is at work even now, to bring you through this uncertain season.

God has given us so many reasons to choose thankfulness and joy this day and every day. Let’s choose to do what the Psalmist of this great chapter says:

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good; his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5 (NIV)

Shout for joy.

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that He is God.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Recognize His goodness, love, and faithfulness, through all the generations of our families.

Whatever we’re facing this Thanksgiving Day, right in the midst of all of it, may we remember again that God gives us the opportunity each and every day, to give worship and thanks to Him. Every morning that He gives us breath is His loving invitation to come joyfully into His Presence. He reminds us that He alone is God, and we belong to Him. He assures us His plans in our lives are for good, that His love covers us securely, and His faithfulness extends from generation to generation.

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