Whenever I start feeling negative about personal matters or about the deception that’s present in our world, I know there’s one thing I need to do: start listing my blessings and thanking God for each of them.
Philippians 4:8-9 reminds us, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.… And the God of peace will be with you.”
Those words are found in a book that’s all about gratitude and joy. In the 4 chapters of Philippians (NIV), Paul uses the word rejoice 6 times, joy 5 times, and thanksgiving twice. And here’s the thing that makes this book so relevant to us when we’re struggling: Paul wrote those words while he was in chains, arrested for sharing Christ (Philippians 1:12-14).
Sometimes when someone tells us to be more positive, we think, “That’s easy for you to say. You aren’t dealing with my problems.” But we can’t say that when we read Philippians. In fact, my biggest problems fade in significance when I compare them to being in chains for the gospel.
If you’re an American celebrating Thanksgiving today, take time to count your blessings and thank God for His goodness!
And I encourage you to read some of the other Bible Love Notes devotions about Thanksgiving. One of my favorites is 5 Kernels of Corn.
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