Here’s a heads-up. The calendar tells us that, in just a few weeks, it’s time to be thankful. The National Day of Thanksgiving is coming soon. It’s a great holiday, and it gives each of us opportunity to turn to God with gratitude and appreciation for all his blessings. So be ready to be thankful. 

Actually, we don’t need a calendar to tell us to be thankful, do we? The people of God don’t require a holiday in order to muster up gratitude in our hearts. The Scriptures tell us it’s time be thankful every day! 

St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippian church, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these instructive words: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

The apostle’s not talking about an annual festival of thanksgiving. He’s teaching us to be thankful in every circumstance, in every life situation, in every moment of moment of success, and in every season of suffering. In everything, be thankful. Bring your prayers and petitions to the Lord with thankful hearts, trusting God to care for you and see you through all the days of this life.  

You see, God’s not only the provider of every good gift that comes our way in this world. We have so much to be thankful for in our physical, temporal lives, to be sure. But there’s still so much more! God gives us eternal peace, in our Savior Jesus Christ. Peace for our guilty consciences, peace about our relationship with our Maker, peace regarding our eternal destiny, peace that the world cannot give nor take away.  

No matter what happened to St. Paul, or what trials he faced, the apostle always knew the peace of Christ in his heart – and so he remained thankful. In every situation in which you find yourself, rejoice at the peace which your Savior has provided you. Acknowledge that peace, celebrate it, cling to it, cherish it. Above all, give thanks to God for the peace the “transcends all understanding.” So in everything, and on every day of your life, give thanks to God. It’s time to be thankful! 

In Christ, 

Pastor Wayne Puls