Practical Thanksgiving

Next week at this time many of you will begin preparations for a big meal and time together with family and friends.  You might even have some snacks ready to go that you can eat during the football games that have become an annual tradition.  Some of you will even work in a shopping trip in order to save money through that amazing deal.  However, will you take the time to actually be thankful.

This year more than any anxieties seem to be high.  Between COVID, elections, financial pressures and schedule changes we have all experienced our share of stress.  Philippians 4:4-9 has long been a favorite of mine and verse 6 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Did you see the answer to our anxiety?  It is prayer with THANKSGIVING!

This year let’s get much more practical about the holiday of Thanksgiving.  Let’s actually practice giving thanks.  God showed us that through giving thanks we can actually relieve ourselves of anxiety and fill ourselves with peace (Phil 4:7).  And let’s not just do this in a season, but let’s make this a rhythm in our lives—a common practice that happens year-round.  It will make a difference in you and you will be able to share that difference with others.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Pastor Tim.