Some synonyms for crazy are loony, nuts, cuckoo, loco, dingbat, psycho and wacko. If we aren’t living our lives in gratitude and thanksgiving to God for all He has done for us we could be considered any one of these. Yes, we could, no should, be considered crazy if we aren’t grateful to God for what He has done us us in the past and now in the Covid present and definitely on this Thanksgiving weekend. Most pepole would agree that gratitude in America has almost become extinct. You can look but it’s hard to find gratitude and thanksgiving in the home, in our schools, in the workplace or even in the church. Yes, even in the church. It’s crazy but the people of God, those men and women who claim to be Christians, can be some of the biggest slackers when it comes to gratitude and thanksgiving.

Scriptures

Habakkuk 3:17-18; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 2:14-15; Colossians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; James 5:20

Verse

“Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. Give thanks to Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

Thought

Habakkuk was an Old Testament prophet who was saddened by the violence and corruption he saw going on around him. He realized that the economic future of his country looked bleak and it was headed for a financial recession. He didn’t know how long he and the people could survive. In spite of the dire situation, Habakkuk said he was still going to be glad and rejoice in God. He wasn’t going to thank God for all the bad things that had gone wrong in the country but he still had a source of gratitude even though everything else was going down the tubes. That source of gratitude and thankfulness was because the Lord was his Savior. Habakkuk knew God would bring him and the people through this terrible time in their lives. To rejoice during difficult times seems like denial and craziness if you only look at the present circumstances. But faith in God adds a new perspective to what is happening to us in those tough times in life. Habakkuk learned to look beyond his present circumstances and to open his eyes to a higher and broader perspective. Faith assures us, just as it did Habakkuk, that even when things seem hopeless our God can make a way for us through anything we face in life.

Questions

Why do you think there is a lack of gratitude and thanksgiving in America? What are the top three things in your life that you are grateful for? Why aren’t the people of God leading the way in gratitude and thanksgiving? If 2021 is as difficult as 2020, how will you be able to show gratitude and be thankful? How does it strengthen our faith to express gratitude and thankfulness? Who was the one person in your life who didn’t complain or argue? How does showing gratitude and thanksgiving help defeat the devil in our lives?

Response

Find a quiet place with a pen and paper and make a list of 10 things you are thankful for. Within 24 hours come back to that same place and add 20 more things on your list. As your list grows and you have your eyes opened to all the blessings you have, pray and thank God for how good He has been in your life. Promise Him that in 2021 and beyond you will live your life according to 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer  

Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for failing to show gratitude to You for all my many blessings in life. As your follower, I know that gratitude and giving thanks is important as a witness to others including my family and friends. I don’t want to be a stumbling block for anyone when they observe my life, so help me to stop being crazy! Help me to show gratitude and thanksgiving to You and others that I love! In Your name I pray. Amen.