How do we measure thankfulness? Food clothing and shelter. Material goods and wealth. The pleasures and comforts afforded to us in our relatively free society. These are certainly standard ways to measure your ability to be grateful in our day to day lives. But there is a metric that is much clearer and more concise. It starts with this question. Has God showed you your sin? If the answer to this is yes, then you have a more than adequate reason to be thankful. If the Lord has revealed your iniquities to you then you are blessed. He is calling you. He is exposing your darkness by showing the light. If you’ve already been a part of this process, then you are thankful that Jesus did not leave you in your sin. You can be thankful.
You are free to move on from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. You are able to be content with food and raiment. The burden of acquiring temporary gain and worldly treasure will not consume you. You can have peace and understanding that is not given to the lost. The wisdom of God frees you from vanity and gives you real purpose. Colossians 3:15, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Peace and thankfulness go hand in hand. From God’s hand to your hand. The burdens of this life are more than we can bear. Unless you answer God’s call. That calling is only found in his Lamb. Jesus says in Matthew 11:30, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. If you believe this, you can be thankful.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and on to the New Year. This is the season to be thankful. There is a simple exercise that one can do. It requires very little. A pen, or a pencil. And a sheet of paper. Write everything that you can be thankful for. With an honest effort, you will see great results. If you know the Lord as your Savior, then your List can start with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Being thankful is not a mind trick, or an illusion. It is understanding your place in the royal family. It is acknowledging what happened at Calvary. Don’t forget your heartbeat and the air that you breathe. When you consider the wonders of his creation you will run out of paper sooner than later. Living a thankful life can make you appreciate all that your heavenly Father does for you. Now and forever. This is the time and season to make a resolution. This year, just maybe it’s time to make this list. Live a grateful life. Let others see the light so that they may live. In the end you either have Christ or you need Christ. But be certain, if your faith is in Jesus, and you trust in his finished work on the cross, then all of your hope is found in him. You my friend, can be thankful.