Love Your Neighbor – November

Thanks

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – NIV

Oh, thank you for all your hard work on this! Thank you, you’re amazing! Thank you kindly! Thanks a million! I’m so thankful for everything you bring to the table!

There are many ways to give thanks, but can we say it in “all circumstances”? Can you honestly say “thanks” for:

  • A bout with cancer
  • A divorce that breaks the family apart
  • Losing your job
  • Having a financial hardship
  • The death of a loved one
  • The suicide of family member or friend
  • Someone cheating you
  • Someone spreading rumors about you

Sometimes, it is easy for us to mouth “thanks” in these circumstances, BUT . . . do we truly mean it? All too often we focus on one day a year to give thanks – it is Thanksgiving. Does that not devalue your good intentions? What would happen if we gave thanks on a regular basis throughout the year?

Examples:

  • When you go out to eat, given you can find a place that is COVID friendly, tip the waiter BEFORE you order. Can you imagine the difference in service you would receive?
  • Give thanks for your failures and learn from them.
  • In difficult situations, give thanks for the opportunity to grow stronger
  • Applaud success of others; it is contagious

Live as Jesus lived!

  • He gave thanks for food: John 6:5-11
  • He thanked God for selectively revealing His will: Luke 10:21
  • Jesus thanked God for listening to His prayer: John 11:38-44

Thank your neighbor today for even a little thing. A small gesture can have a BIG impact.

-Terry Miller has over 30 years of banking and training experience with major banking institutions.12+ years as owner/principal of Terry Miller & Associates – a training and development firm. He spent 8 years as director of Pastoral Care with Waxahachie Bible Church. Terry is currently semi-retired. Continuing with self-employment directing Terry Miller & Associates, a consulting firm conducting speaking and training engagements, in addition to authoring and publishing 4 books.

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