By Sami Fortin
PREVIEW Columnist
Here in America, we have so much to be thankful for. The land of the brave and the home of the free, we are so blessed to have our freedoms. There may be those who have abused those freedoms and used them to hurt others, but I’m thankful that our country, of all the countries in the world, is still a place we’re free to worship God in the way we choose.
We’ve always been given a choice as to whom we worship and when we make the choice to worship and praise the One True Living God. He will bless us again and again. We are to give thanks for everything (good or bad), for this is the will of God (l Thessalonians 5:18). When we know that He works all things together for our good for those that love Him (Romans 8:28) it gives us hope that even the hard things will work out.
During this month and the next (in fact, don’t stop), I challenge you to write down your blessings to see all He has done for you. We’re to enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name (Psalm 100:4).
I pray that He helps us to change our minds about our situation and circumstance. Then we will see that when we’re giving thanks, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (l Corinthians 15:57). We’re all in a battle fighting for our freedoms and He has made a way for us.
It is this: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to Him and His peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
If there’s anything we strive for, it’s harmony and peace. We’re all searching for a way to get back to the Garden of Eden. One of the best ways to accomplish that here and now, and hope for it in our future, is to give thanks.
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psm106:1). He might not take us out of our circumstances. But He will give us strength to endure it. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (1 Corinthians 9:5).
If we see problems in our world, it’s because although people know God, they don’t glorify Him as God, nor are they thankful, then they become futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts are darkened. Let’s turn this around by praising the name of God with a song and magnify Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30). We can make a change in our own lives that will have a ripple effect around the whole world if we will give thanks to the Lord: Call upon His name and make known His wonderful deeds among the peoples (Colossians 4:2).
It starts with continuing earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. If we will set aside time in our day, first thing in the morning is best, and just start talking to Him, thanking Him for what He’s done and is still about to do, the rest of our day will be covered and the rest of our life will be blessed so much that you’ll become a blessing for others.
He says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (11Chronicles 7:14.) I can’t encourage you enough to do this.
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on us, Lord, be our helper. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
What’s your blessing? Mine is you, you are my treasure. I love you, but He loves you more.
This column includes both fiction and nonfiction, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN. Submissions can be sent to editor@pagosasun.com.
