Thanksgiving is our insurance

THANKSGIVING IS OUR INSURANCE

We are often confronted by dire situations, situations that seemingly have no exit point from the danger or disappointment that cloaks them. Ever so easily our mind strays towards internalizing and personalizing the negative emotions that result from our interaction with the people or the circumstances in that situation. We can so easily come to harbor resentment, hurt, or unforgiveness. We can so easily camouflage anger or disappointment that can threaten to cloak us permanently and distort our very character. This insidious invasion may not even be evident to us, and may only be obvious to those close to us.

What is our protection in such circumstances, and how do we fend off these hounds of hell baying at the doors of our character?

• ·      Can we try and find things to be thankful for in the midst of circumstances?
• ·      Can we name those things one by one ( The old hymn “Count your blessings” comes to mind).
• ·      Can we thank Him for each of these things, and make them the focus instead of focusing on the negative?

This will neither change the circumstances or the people involved, but this will surely change our reactions to them, allowing us to be more just in dealing with them, and make relatively more unbiased decisions.

“Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God.” …. Phil 4:5-7