This week will find people gathered around tables all across the U.S. as they celebrate Thanksgiving. Sure there will be the obligatory saying of grace. Families may even go around the table and share what they are thankful for. Some may even write out their prayers and hang them on a “thankful” tree.

But what do you do when giving thanks is hard?

Somebody has been isolated from social connections because of Covid so giving thanks may be a bit hard

Somebody has recently lost a parent so giving thanks may be a bit hard

Somebody has been struggling financially so giving thanks may be a bit hard

Somebody’s body is betraying them and is ravaged with disease so giving thanks may be a bit hard

But what I’ve come to learn and what the Lord has been especially impressing on my heart all week is Give Thanks Anyhow!

Despite what you see. Despite what you feel. Despite what you think. Give thanks anyhow!

Because it’s not about what we think, see or feel but about the ONE who deserves our honor, who deserves our adoration, who deserves our praise.

When giving thanks is hard, sometimes it requires you to take your eyes off yourself and off your situation and lock your gaze unto His.

When giving thanks is hard sometimes you have to deal with the spiritual cataracts so you can “see beyond” and see into the spirit.

Sometimes it will require you to humble yourself, recall where He bought you from, what He’s rescued you out of or what He spared you from.

Even when giving thanks is hard, the ONE who was, and is and is to come is still worthy. And because He sees and He knows and He cares, He will prod you and prompt you and remind you of just how much He loves you. You’ll hear it in the bird’s song or in the smile of a child. He’ll illuminate and bring back that verse you’ve hidden in your heart at just the right time. And when He does that, it may still be hard to give thanks but you’ll be compelled to do it. Because that’s the thing, praise and giving thanks are sacrificial. Oh yes, it’s going to cost you something.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

In the hard spaces of laying aside pride, convenience, or even hurt and sorrow, GIVE THANKS. It is actually God’s will that you give thanks is all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Will it be hard to give thanks sometimes? Yes

Will it cost you something? Yes

But isn’t He worth it? YES!

Sometimes the words are hard to come by if you’re hurting but there is help. All you gotta do is turn to His word. Let these verses minister to your heart and may they flow from your lips as you offer up your true thanks giving

• O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever. Psalm 30:12
• {I} Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God has given unto me. Deuteronomy 26:11
• Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57
• O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good. His mercy endureth forever. Psalm 118:29
• Giving thanks always for all things unto God. Ephesians 5:20
• Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Psalm 100:4
• It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. Psalm 92:1

So with the fruit of your lips, even if it’s but a whisper, release your Thank You Father…….

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!