Thankful Through it All

How can we have a happy day of giving thanks no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in? How can we live thankful through all life brings our way?

Thanksgiving is defined as “a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgement or celebration of God’s goodness.”

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.”
‭‭Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Being thankful, expressing gratitude, and celebrating what is good only occurs as we shift our focus. Is this always easy? No. Is it possible? Yes. Even in the midst of the not so good times, focusing on God’s goodness to us personally will stir up thankfulness.

When we focus on what Christ has already provided for us through His amazing love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace, our hearts are filled with gratitude, and we are empowered to live from a thankful place.

Mercy – Not getting what we deserve.

Grace – Getting better than we deserve.

May our hearts be filled with joy and thankfulness for Christ providing a seat at our Father’s table and calling us to live from His higher perspective.

“And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

Ephesians 2:6 Amplified Bible

Many will not be experiencing a “Hallmark Happy” time as we enter the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Actually, the Hallmark movies are quite the opposite of what is reality for most. Instead, the holiday season often stirs up not only good memories, but also makes us aware of unanswered prayers and expectations, losses, and broken relationships. If you relate, you are not alone. Through years of praying with and for others, and now more than ever, I am aware first hand of many who need help and healing, and this still includes Joyful Jenny too.

God is our mighty helper and healer of the broken hearted. He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17). Thankfully, many are realizing their need for Jesus as both Savior and Healer in this time of spiritual awakening and harvest. As we continue to allow God to heal our hearts, our eyes will then be open to seeing others through our Father’s eyes.

My pain has always pressed me to pray, pen and pursue God’s presence. How about you?

I am thankful. I am not thankful for it all, but through it all. How about you?

Our pain can be purposeful in serving God’s higher purpose, as we begin to see others through the eyes of the Father. Seeing others in pain should always lead us to pray for them. When we go from just seeing others who are hurting to being able to truly empathize with them because of our own sorrow or suffering, we know God is working something good in us through it all (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7). May the Holy Spirit continue to guide, comfort and heal, especially during this “most wonderful time.” May our hearts be more sensitive to others to help lead them to Jesus, our Healer.

Recently, while sitting and soaking in the Father’s presence (because I so needed to), I came across this verse in Isaiah 51:3. speaking of the Lord’s comfort and redeeming power. The Holy Spirit prompted me to put my name in this verse, so I share this for you to do the same:  

“For the Lord comforts Zion (“put your name here”); He comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.”

Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God, through the power of the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. Just as a parent naturally desires to comfort their child, our Father God longs to comfort us. When our dreams turn into disappointments, or our happy holiday plans are the opposite of all we hoped for, or, even if life presently feels more like a parched desert land, the Lord our Redeemer can turn even these “wilderness-like” times into a peaceful, blooming garden. God never forces anything upon us. We must open up our hearts and ask in order to receive all the comfort, healing and restoration that only God can bring.

Jesus is our faithful One who never leaves us and His Spirit heals and empowers us to overcome all our pain, sorrow and suffering (John 15:9-12; 16:33; Psalm 147:3). Jesus is our Joy Giver no matter what life brings our way. As we focus on Him above all else, our spirits are lifted, and our hearts remain thankful through it all.

So, even if this Thanksgiving Day doesn’t look anything like a “Hallmark” one, help us, Holy Spirit, to be thankful for God’s love, forgiveness, goodness and grace. In Christ, we always have a bountiful banqueting place. May we take time to enjoy feasting at our Father’s table, and always give thanks.

It’s not the happy people who are thankful. 

It’s the thankful people who are happy. 

Lord, help us focus on the gift of You, Your goodness and grace, Your love and mercy and supernatural peace. For this, we give You thanks and praise for all our days, amen.

This is how we do God’s will…

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

This is how we enter in…

“Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.” 

Psalm 100:4 The Message

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies.”
‭‭Psalm 107:1-2 NLT

This is the how we live from His higher perspective and do God’s will to be thankful through it all.

I am not writing from a sorrowful place today, but truly from a thankful heart filled with supernatural peace. In spite of circumstances that I still desire to see changed, God is helping me to shift my focus on all His blessings in my life. So, I join my faith with yours praying, believing and waiting on hopes yet to be fulfilled (Proverbs 13:12).

In the waiting, I am choosing to be thankful through it all. I hope you will too.

Many happy days of giving thanks through all life brings our way.

Your sister in Christ,

Joyful Jenny 

Colossians 3:1-4