It was Charles Dickens who commented about us being somewhat mixed up here in America. He told an audience once that instead of having one Thanksgiving Day each year in November we should have 364 days of thanksgiving. “Use that one day each year just for complaining and griping,” he said. “Use the other 364 days to thank God for the many blessings He has showered upon you.” What an insight!

Many Christians struggle with knowing God’s will for their life. Here is it: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”(1Th 5:18) It is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything. Notice that the Scripture doesn’t say to give thanks “for everything” but instead give thanks in everything. I am not thankful for sickness but I can be thankful in sickness. Why? Because it makes me dependent upon the Great Physician. I am not thankful for trials and troubles but I can be thankful in them. Why? Because they teach patience. I remember our pastor years ago, while teaching through this verse, challenge us to go through the week giving thanks in everything. It was the very next day as I was rushing out the door, late for an appointment, that my son, 2 years old at the time, dropped a gallon of milk on the floor. Recalling this verse I immediately stopped my first reaction. Stooping down to clean up the mess, I smiled at my son and told him that we should thank the Lord for this mess. Why? Because it reminded me to pray a prayer of thanksgiving. You see, I was not thankful for the spilled milk but I did learn to become thankful in the mess. When we live this way daily giving thanks unto our gracious Lord and Saviour our lives become filled with Thanks-living.

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.”