It easy relatively easy to thank God and Praise Him when everything is going well.  When you see a beautiful sunrise or experience and amazing sunset.  When you son finds a lovely Christian wife or when you are blessed with a child.  There are so many wonderful things we can be thankful for, in this world.  There is also much pain here too.   When some of the treasures we have experienced are taken away or when something horrible happens, it is easier to ask God why then to be thankful.  

I was at a seminar  last weekend and the key note speaker, talked about how she had been in significant depression and she decided to give thanks for something everyday.  She attributes her thankful heart to her healing.

Proverbs 17;22  “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” 

Paul said, “ In whatsoever state I am in, I have learned to be content.” Philippians 4:11

 Happiness is not having what you what, it is wanting what you have. (This is a saying I like too)

Learning to be thankful in all things is a gift from God.  It is applied wisdom.  It is understanding that no matter what the situation we are currently experiencing Jesus is with us.  “ Mathew 28:20” Lo I am with you  always, even to the end of the age.”  He is not only with us but He loves each of us so much that He died for us. (John 3:16). Jesus said, “My Yoke is easy my burden is light.” (Mathews 11:30) Sometimes my burdens feel heavy and when they do, I try to remember to step back and give what ever it is to God.  I hit “pause”…TRUST GOD.  When I stop my worry and fear and go to TRUST, I find rest for my soul.  I can be thankful in all things.  

This week ( Nov. 4-11) marks the anniversary of my beautiful new daughter-in-law, Erins’ passing unto Heaven.  I am trying to remember to be thankful she was in our lives, in the first place.   I thank God for how lovely she was and still is, in Heaven.  I thank God for her life.   I thank God that she is forever safe in His arms.  When I spend my time in thankfulness, it really helps me.  When I start with the why God why, I am reminded that there are many things in this fallen world that I will never be able to understand.  God says, “my ways are not your ways.”  God and all that is, is beyond our understanding.  The Bible refers to us as grasshoppers and sheep.  It is not for us to know why bad things happen.  It is for us to put our faith in the one who knows.  It is not for us to understand, it is for us to TRUST.  It is for us to live in thanksgiving knowing God, loves each of us intimately and more than we can understand.  Proverbs 3:5. “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding.”

Today, be inspired to be thankful in all things.  I hope you can see something beautiful today and be thankful in that.  I also hope that when the not so good happens today, you can also be thankful in that.  Romans 8:28 “All things work together for the good of those who love Him.”  This verses doesn’t say, everything is good.  Romans 8:29 explains that all things work together so we can become more Christ like.  Today be inspired to be thankful in all things, let all things draw you nearer to God.  James 4:8 “ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”   This drawing nearer and nearer to God,”no matter what” is true thanksgiving!!

May you be thankful, fit and blessed always,

Kimberly