I hope you are doing well today.
Thanksgiving is almost upon us. When we’re grieving, the Thanksgiving holiday comes with all kinds of challenges.
What are we supposed to do with this?
How do we navigate special days that are supposed to be about family, togetherness, and joy?
Not to mention that our world is in terrible disarray. Wars and rumors of wars. Tension, division, hatred, and violence are everywhere. Lawlessness is on the rise. These things only add to the heaviness and pain of our losses.
As I think about all this, several verses from the New Testament come to mind:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
These verses contain three commands. These three things are part of God’s prescription for healthy hearts and minds amid difficulty, suffering, and uncertainty.
Rejoice always.
Even while we feel emotionally overwhelmed (or numb), we can make the choice to rejoice. This verse is talking about rejoicing in the Lord – deliberately choosing to fix our thoughts on Him and rejoice in who He is and His goodness to us.
Many times, I do not feel like rejoicing. I feel like grousing, complaining, blaming, etc. I have found when I choose to align myself with God’s will for me and rejoice in Him, my heart begins to respond. Something inside changes.
I cannot rejoice always in my own strength. My self-effort always falls painfully short. Only God Himself can empower this. I ask God to fill me and produce in me a continually rejoicing heart. Will you join me?
Pray continually.
How does one pray continually?
I believe what’s in view here is an attitude of prayer that permeates our daily routine. It’s an attitude of seeking God, being mindful of His continual presence, and yielding to His plan and will.
Of course, praying continually is not something you and I can achieve. It is not something that can be produced by work or effort on our part. Only God can produce a lifestyle saturated with prayer. God wants to do this in me, for it is His will for me.
Again, I’m asking God, by the power of His Spirit, to produce in me a lifestyle of prayer where I am fully yielded to Him. I invite you to join me.
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Bad things happen. Terrible events take place. This world is full of tragedy, pain, evil, and suffering. Being thankful, even amid all this, is one way of saying, “Pain and suffering are real, but they do not define me.”
Even though is a powerful phrase for me.
Even though I’m experiencing ___________, I choose give thanks for _________.
Even though ________ happened, I am thankful that _____________.
Even though I wish that _______________, I give thanks that ________________.
Even though.
There are times when we must deliberately look for the good. Surrounded by grief, I have to ask God for eyes to see Him at work, His blessings, and His goodness to me and others. Once again, I cannot produce a heart of thanksgiving. Only God can do this. Lord, fill me and cultivate in me a thankful heart.
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all things for this is God’s will for us.
I pray for myself and for you now, that God would make these verses a reality in our daily lives. I pray for us, that we will be open to Him and allow Him to work in our lives. I pray that we would give ourselves to Him – including our pain, anxiety, and frustrations – so that we might experience His comfort, peace, and healing.
Many times, I find myself fighting against these things. I end up sabotaging God’s comfort, peace, and healing with my own pride, independence, emotional pain, and anger.
Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks.
These are three ways we can be kind to ourselves as we face the onslaught of the holidays. We do not face this onslaught alone. The Lord is with us. He knows us. He knows our suffering and pain. He knows exactly what it is like for us – inside and at the deepest level.
Breathe.
Let us use Thanksgiving to honor our loved ones, grieve well, and give thanks – rather than letting the Thanksgiving holiday use us.
A blessed Thanksgiving to you…
Question: What are you facing this Thanksgiving? What would help you use this holiday for good? Feel free to share using the comment box below.
Dear Gary,
I was on Amazon and stumbled across your books. I purchased “Heartbroken” on Audible, and I am listening to you read it. I want you to know that I have been so amazed at what I am hearing. I lost my husband Terry, in March 2023 to a very unwelcome diagnosis of cancer. He made it six weeks before going home to be with the Lord. It has been such a shock, and I haven’t been able to describe how I feel until I started listening to your book. I wanted to thank you for your compassionate writing. You make everything so easy to understand. I haven’t even finished listening to it and I feel like a burden has been lifted off of me. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in such a special area of life. I am going to order the book so I can listen and highlight the areas that are so special to me. My book will probably be all yellow highlights 🙂 I also ordered the book on Audible for a friend of mine who has been patiently walking through the grieving process with me. I will remember from now on to be kind to myself and breathe. In closing, I just wanted to say thank you again. May God bless you as He uses you in a mighty way. Thank you with much respect. In Christ, Carol
Hi Carol. I’m SO SORRY I’m just now responding to this message! Thank you for your kindness and encouragement. I’m so sorry about Terry. I know it has been a terrible shock – beyond description in many ways, I’m sure. I’m so glad Heartbroken helped. I’m honored to be a small part of things in this way. Thank you, thank you for your kind words. You made my day. Blessings to you. Praying for you now, Carol…