Over the past year, it appears more and more bad news surrounds us. People are suffering in all different ways and forms. You might be finding it hard to fill your grocery basket for your family, put gas in your car to go to work, pay bills. Maybe you suffer with chronic pain that impacts your daily life. You might be someone who has lost communication with a family member or a loved. Maybe you just found out you or a loved one is dealing with cancer, or other illnesses. Maybe you have experienced the loss of a loved you that has shattered your world. Or maybe you are dealing with the loss of your identity that has brought you to a depressing low that has you questioning your significance. You might have been the victim of violence and abuse. Whatever you are dealing with, you might be at the point where you question how can I be thankful on a day, where I don’t know what to be thankful for?

I first want you to know you are not alone. Many around you are suffering as well, but I believe our American culture condones us to hide our fears or discomforts with a fake smile and act like we are all okay, when the truth is we are NOT! I for one am not thankful for the increase cost on basic necessities, or for health issues, or for the violence that my family has to be aware of just to go to work and school. And although these issues make me sad, upset, or at times hopeless, I am reminded that I am not. There is One who loves me and cares for me. There is One who sent His one and only Son to die for me and save me. There is One who hung the stars for me to enjoy in awe in wonder. There is One who controls the storms in life. There is One who provides hope in all circumstances. There is ONE! His name is JESUS! We see in John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world., but that the world through Him might be saved.

You see Jesus loves each one of you and wants to have a relationship with you. In this relationship, He does not deny you won’t have trials or tribulations, but He does promise peace. Now peace is an interesting concept. Peace by the world’s definition is to lack conflict, disturbance, war or violence. Today much of the world supports this idea, chanting peace in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, the world. But is this idea possible? Being that we live in a fallen world and evil exists, the short answer is NO! The long answer is also NO! For there will always be wicked people that want to overpower someone, abuse them, cheat them, hurt them, humiliate them, torture them, and even kill them. So, this reality of peace is just a fantasy for this life. Yet in John 14:27 Jesus says to the disciples,

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

So then what peace is Jesus talking about that He gives to us? The peace according to Jesus is stillness, joy, contentment, lack of anxiety despite being in a current state of distress, despair, turmoil, trial, and tribulation. In Philippians 4:4-7 states,

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts, and minds through Christ Jesus.

You see friends, Christ wants to comfort you in these times of pain. He is waiting for you just to turn and cry out to Him. All you have to do is ask Him. The heart of thanksgiving is a choice. I ask you what your choice will be today, when you are at the lunch or dinner table, will you complain that you have nothing to be thankful for, or will you choose to be thankful for a Savior who loves you and wants relationship with you? A Savior that can provide peace even in the darkest of times. I will choose to be thankful. In closing I leave you with this Hymn of Faith out of the book of Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor, fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; he will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope all have a blessed day and know that you are loved. If anyone has any questions or comments about this post, please feel free to reach out to me.

Vedel Hoey

Crushed Olive Ministries