It’s Thanksgiving – What If I’m Not Feelin’ It?

We don’t have to feel thankful to be thankful.

Are we thankful when we have to fish the Legos out of the toilet?

Are we thankful when we have to clean up grape juice off the carpet?

Are we thankful when we trip over a skateboard someone left in the driveway?

No, but we can be thankful for the children God placed in our lives.

Don’t worry if you’re just not “feelin’” it this year.

We don’t have to feel happy to have a heart of joy, just like we don’t have to get all the “feels” to know we have a thankful heart.

I believe having a spirit of thankfulness is more of a mindset than a feeling. It’s similar to being a joyful person. A joyful person doesn’t always feel happy.

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NJKV)

A believer's thankfulness comes from knowing Jesus died to pay for their sins. He paid a debt we could never pay to give us a gift of salvation we could never earn.

We are thankful all year, not just around the holidays.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

Feeling thankful that God loves us is why Paul and Silas could sing while shackled in prison (Acts 16:25). It’s why Job could praise God when he had just lost his family and possessions (Job 1:21).

Your life might not resemble a perfect Norman Rockwell painting of a loving family gathered around the table with turkey and all the trimmings.

“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18

During this official Thanksgiving season, don’t get caught up in the turkey that turned out dry or the casserole someone dropped while carrying it to the table. Things will happen, but nothing can take away the thankfulness deep inside.

For more verses on thankfulness, see Psalm 100:4, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 106:1