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.
