Blessings In Disguise

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Eph. 5:20

Thankful, grateful, blessed. Is this a phrase we overuse as a way of saying we have our well-being and good fortune? Is that feeling strong enough to motivate us to thank God every single day? Don’t let those words be heard so often they become a punchline for the fact that you’re “happy.” All 3 words ought to put us in a frame of mind of the awe and magnitude of an everlasting God!

We all know Thanksgiving was celebrated to give thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the past year. It was celebrated between the Native American people and the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth. The Indians were key to the colonists' survival during their first year. God was an even bigger key. He had provided throughout the tough year. The celebration was a reminder to the Christian pilgrims that we should thank God for His provision and many blessings. Be thankful and grateful! Did they understand those words more than we do today?

Despite how hard we work or how many blessings we receive, we must realize where all blessings ultimately come from—God our Provider. The focus should be Jehovah Jireh, God is our provider. The focus of Thanksgiving Day has declined through the years. It seems our culture pushes Halloween and Christmas full force ahead. We just gloss over Thanksgiving in between.

Thanksgiving Day is such a good reminder of the biblical principle to thank God for His provisions and blessings to us and for us. Thanksgiving is a day to express our thanks to God. Doesn’t He deserve thanks every single day? Can we not stop for even one day to thank Him for what He has already provided? “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chron. 16:34

Gratitude is living that mindset every day of how thankful you are. People who are thankful never chase for more because of their gratitude for how much they’ve already received because of God’s provision and blessings. God can provide for you and bless you and you may not “feel” blessed. What does being blessed feel like?? Sometimes it takes time for your brain to catch up and you realize God DID provide and He DID bless you!

The Israelites wandering in the wilderness was a blessing. Did they “feel” blessed at the time? They learned to rely on God for provisions. He provided manna. They grew and developed stronger faith. They learned to listen for His voice. They watched pillars of fire and clouds by day. All that time was probably physically challenging and not enjoyable but, in hindsight, it was a blessing and God DID provide. They didn’t feel blessed at the time but they were. Their biggest blessing was at the end of their challenging, struggling years - The Promised Land! In Deuteronomy 29:5, God says to them “during the 40 years you wandered, your clothes and sandals did not wear out.” Did they see that as a blessing at the time?? Were all those things blessings in disguise? They WERE blessings and provisions. Learn to thank Him even if you don’t “feel” like it.

Can we learn to be grateful to such a degree that we never ask for more? Can we accept what we already have and give thanks and be content with what we have as ENOUGH? That which in your eyes as “just enough” might be a huge blessing in disguise. The middle of verse 5 in Hebrews 12 says “be thankful for what you have.”

Collect all your pains and joys, your losses and victories, your lack and your overflow, from the year and give thanks for the balance that all cause us to grow closer to Him. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful. He is worthy of our gratefulness in ALL things. Being grateful is always about our relationship with Him, NOT our circumstances.

He invites you every day to dine with Him. Thanksgiving dinner is a good place and day to start. Sit down with Him and thank Him. “Let them give thanks to God and His wondrous works for all He has done for them. For He has satisfied the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalms 7:8-9

“Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!” Psalm 95:2