Try Thanksgiving

Colossians 2:7b  “In everything give thanks.”
   

     Today, I want to share with you a story that has proved to be an encouragement to me.  It is one of those stories, that once I heard it, I have never forgotten it, and I have applied its teaching often in my own life.

      Once there was a certain Christian man who had a spirit of depression come over him.  This feeling disturbed him very much and he struggled to overcome it.  First he gave himself to serious Bible study, reading many words of comfort and hope in the Scriptures, seeking to find relief from the dark cloud that hung over him.  These did bring some help, but he still felt a certain burden.
 Next he tried committing himself to fervent prayer and that, too, gave him some hope, but still the downcast feeling remained.  As the man pondered what to do he went about his daily work, continuing to seek the Lord for help.  It wasn’t long until one day he walked into a store to shop.  Finding the items he needed, he walked to the counter to pay for his purchases.  On the wall behind the checkout counter was a large sign with the words “TRY THANKSGIVING” on it.  He was startled as he stared at the sign and pondered this thought to himself.  Yes, I’ll “TRY THANKSGIVING,” he said to himself.  
Soon he was lifting up his heart in gratitude to God.  As he did, thoughts of himself and his problems and his burden soon faded into the background AND the dark cloud that hung over him gradually floated away and disappeared into thin air.
     God’s Word has many encouraging verses, exhorting us to be thankful:
 Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful unto Him and bless His name.”
 
Psalm 92:1a  “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.”
Psalm 119:62a  “At midnight, I will rise to give thanks unto Thee.”
 
     What are some things you have to be thankful for?  This will vary for all of us, but taking just a few moments for reflection, many many thoughts will come to our minds.  Let us be thankful together !
 
Psalm 68:10  “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.”
I Corinthians 15;57  “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 
II Corinthians 9:15  “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”
 
I Chronicles 16: 34  “Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
 

About Gail Slawson

I am a 74 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 54 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 5 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15
This entry was posted in Encouragement, Thankfulness. Bookmark the permalink.

7 Responses to Try Thanksgiving

  1. Seth Fuller says:

    Thank you, so true!

    Like

  2. Gail Slawson says:

    Thanks, Seth.  Your comments are always and encouragement to me!

    Like

  3. Anita says:

    Hi Gail. Yes, that was a good story and so true. Here’s something interesting to me…my middle name is Gail!Have you checked out my new blog? http://www.mylife-experieces.blogspot.com I misspelled experiences and it won’t let me correct it! So my readers have to misspell it too!

    Like

  4. Emily says:

    We really have so much to be thankful for.

    Like

  5. Cliff says:

    Spending a lot of time lately trying to be thankful and grateful. As hard as life is sometimes, I have been tremendously blessed. I just need to remember that a little more often.

    Like

  6. Janet says:

    Great encouragement indeed…. Thanks for sharing…..

    Like

  7. Charlene says:

    A wonderful blessing received from your heart and the heart of God to all who read it!!!

    Like

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