Have you ever prayed, “Oh, God, what is your will for my life?” I thought it had to be a lofty goal, a project, a ministry. And then I discovered 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In the New Testament.
Thanks? Gratitude? Appreciation? That’s It? What’s lofty about saying thank you? Doesn’t sound like a ministry to me. Why would God Almighty, the Great Creator and Sustainer of Everything, King of Kings, Lord of Lords choose “giving thanks” as his will?
Because a truly GRATEFUL heart and mind trusts God in the middle of a crisis, in the trial of a difficult circumstance, in the suicide loss of a loved one. Notice it does not say, “Give thanks FOR the circumstance, but IN the circumstance.” A heart of thanks within the dark days of suicide grief will help you through the healing journey. Thankfulness honors God and shows you still trust in HIS love, grace, provision and power—even in a difficult circumstance.
Thankfulness for our blessings allows God to be God and for me to be his trusting child. Thankfulness allows me to understand that I do, indeed, still have blessings, and a grateful heart sees the blessings and acknowledges that God is the Giver of all my blessings. With a thankful thought process we can choose to be appreciative of what we still have over what we have lost.
Thanksgiving is not just a national holiday. It is a mindset, a mindset which reaps a bountiful harvest of peace because it honors God and his Word.
”Let all that I am praise the LORD. May I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.” Psalm 103:2-5 NLT
Wishing you a lifetime of thanking God for all those good things!
Elaine Kennelly
”Finding Peace After a Suicide Loss”
It is hard to give thanks when you are in the middle of a traumatic event. BUT looking back, you may be surprised at how much there is to be thankful for. I know I am.