Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Of course, this time of year brings a reminder of thankfulness. We can have a laundry list of items – family, friends, our home, pets, and the list goes on and on. But what about when things aren’t going as we planned? Job loss, illness, tragedy. Do we automatically forget all the good in our lives and are blinded by the bad? Sadly, for most, that may be the case. Clearly, we live in a sinful world and sin pushes our focus onto the negatives. With our human nature, it can be difficult to see all the positives, all the incredible gifts that make up our lives, when one aspect isn’t as perfect.
Even though it may be easier said than done, no matter the specific circumstance we are going through, we should be thanking God for all we have. God’s love is constant, so should be our thankfulness. We know God is in control of each of our lives. His timing and His way are all that matters. When we trust in Him, our hearts and minds will gravitate to the positives. As you know, that doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges, but we can be assured He will be there as we go through them.
For those struggling right now, here are two verses that may bring you comfort:
Philippians 4:6 “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Whether everything in your life is perfectly smooth or currently a little bumpy, this verse reminds us to focus on Him.
Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
My list of things to be thankful for is quite long, but I could only choose one for the image – water. This specific body of water can be found on the southeast side of Maui, Hawaii.