This is the Thanksgiving season in the U.S., recalling the early days of our nation when the Pilgrims settled in the northeastern part of this land. Their first winter was brutal, but the native Indians helped them get through it. The Pilgrims wanted to express their gratitude—their thanks for the blessings they had received. It was 1621. The new colonists and the Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is recognized today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.

Now, four hundred years later, we find ourselves facing some of the hardest times our world has ever seen. We have experienced a global pandemic that still leaves its mark. Wars and civil conflicts have hit hard, affecting friends and ministry partners. Even natural disasters have caused destruction in places that have little means to withstand such hardships. So, how can we feel thankful during such chaos? And when we personally know many who are affected, how can we stay thankful despite all this uncertainty?

A recent post by Thomas Nelson Bibles picked up on the theme of thankfulness in a day when it isn’t so easy. And they offered three strategies for nurturing gratitude when thankfulness is hard.

  • Spend time in the Psalms. These passages are filled with praise and adoration. Hundreds of verses give thanks for all God has done, from creation to our own personal lives. The Psalms of David are especially good examples for us, like Psalm 9, 34, and 145.
  • Get a second opinion. Often others have a better perspective on our situation and our blessings than we do. We can easily overlook God’s rich blessings when they are blotted out by our current problems. Others can help us look beyond today’s concerns to tomorrow’s promise of hope from the Lord.
  • Expand your search beyond the obvious. The life of Joseph should remind us that what we see on the surface may have little relation to what God has for us in the years ahead. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. But when the famine came and the brothers had to go to Egypt, it was Joseph who responded in kindness. Remember his words. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Gen. 50:20 NLT).

As the Thomas Nelson article pointed out, “Joseph saw God’s hand at work in the setbacks of his life. He recognized the extraordinarily good that God brought from them. If we can find that same perspective in our lives, we’ll discover a never-ending stream of things to be thankful for.”

I often suggest taking a piece of paper and drawing a line down the middle. The easy part is listing the problems and challenges on one side. Then move to the other side and start listing God’s blessings: life, health, family, friends. You can go on and on, thinking of how the Lord sustains and blesses us even through tough days.

Then…across the top of the page write this verse in bold letters:

“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 NLT

I am thankful for that firm foundation!

God’s best,