The Grateful Month

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."

Philippians 4:6

We are today, November 1st,  entering into the month of the year that typically conjures up thoughts of giving thanks. While I would put forth that this attitude of thanksgiving should be lived 12 months a year, I know that our secular society puts emphasis on it mostly during the month of November. So, I will take advantage of that to address what I think is a very important topic.

 It's interesting, isn't it, that in the above scripture, we are encouraged to, "with thanksgiving, make our requests known to God." Wouldn't you think that the thanksgiving would come after the answer to prayer is received or even just after the prayer is prayed? But here we are very clearly told to give thanks as we are making our requests known. Interesting concept, isn't it??

Why is that, do you suppose? Do you think that the Holy Spirit knew that a thankful heart would do us good even while we are praying? What does thankfulness accomplish in the heart of a believer?

I think thankfulness builds our faith because thanks is given in faith, believing that God hears and answers prayer.

We give thanks as we pray because we know that God can transfigure or redeem all. We give thanks as we pray because we know God is all good.

"Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

Psalm 106:1

We give thanks, not necessarily because we feel thankful. Our feelings really don't count for much. They change on a whim. No, we give thanks because He is good.  He is always good. Always. In the midst of everything, He is good.

There is much in this earthly life that we don't understand and probably never will this side of heaven. But one thing we can be sure of, whether it's our experience or not, and that is that

And truly, that is all we need to know.

May we know this truth and live this truth and walk it out in our daily life. Our thanksgiving needs to be lived 365 days a year, not just during the 30 days of November or the 1 day we call Thanksgiving.

Make it your passion to give God thanks in the midst of chaos or peace, sickness or health, abundance or lack, riches or poverty, loss or gain. Give thanks in ALL things!

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth

endureth to all generations."

Psalm 100:4, 5