Naturally, as the time to celebrate Thanksgiving draws near, it is an excellent juncture to explore the blessings of contentment and gratitude. These are two pivotal keys to unlocking a steady stream of joy in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6-7). From a Christian perspective, we should practice both and focus the vast majority of each toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Without Him, we would only achieve packets of temporal and fleeting satisfaction at best. Meanwhile, those who recognize Him as their ultimate blessing know that our Savior will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Additionally, Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). We know we can always rely on His providence and provisions.
We should often remind ourselves to thank God for everything, from the smallest of material blessings to the largest of spiritual ones (1 Corinthians 15:57). We should keep a firm grasp on the fact that with Jesus Christ, we have all we need (Romans 11:36). Additionally, we can still appreciate the alternative blessings that He lavishes upon us. Refrain from letting the allure of the world captivate you into thinking that it is exclusively fame, money, power, influence, or materialism that will provide happiness (Romans 12:2).
If we play the comparison game, we will always find that we do not stack up on some level, which breeds envy, jealousy, and discontentment (Ecclesiastes 4:4, James 4:2-3). Instead, we must remember that our value stems from our identity as God’s children (Ephesians 2:10, Genesis 1:27). Additionally, He saw it fit to bless you with eyesight, internet access, shelter, and leisure time to learn about God and His Word. If you are alive and reading this, it is clear you are among the most blessed people on earth!
Hopefully, you already know Jesus Christ, but if you are not yet a believer, God has inspired you to read this article. Perhaps He prompted your heart and sparked a curiosity that led you to visit this page today. Do not chalk this up to mere coincidence. Today is the day of salvation, and there is no better time than the present to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if you have not already done so (2 Corinthians 6:2). None of us should take for granted every day of mercy that God patiently provides for more people to come to saving faith through His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9).
When I struggle through a difficult time, feel disappointed, frustrated, or otherwise find myself in a negative state of mind, I try to remember how fortunate I am. We live in an era of human history where most people live under better circumstances than the royalty of prior centuries. Yet, surprisingly, many of our most significant obstacles are often manufactured by excess indulgences, luxuries, instant gratification, and comfort. Therefore, we need to exercise discipline and self-control to avoid being consumed by these seductive pitfalls. Some things are a blessing as long as we practice moderation, but the minute we overdo it, those same blessings can become a problem (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).
For instance, we can enjoy eating to some degree. Still, the moment we step into gluttony, we know we do more harm than good (Ezekiel 16:49, Philippians 3:19, Proverbs 28:7). It is reasonable to seek a life partner one day that we may eventually marry. Still, if we obsess about a specific person or idolize the gift of marriage, we set ourselves up for a rude awakening. Any time we attempt to substitute the longings in our hearts to worship and draw closer to God with anything else, we will not find lasting joy or satisfaction.
Notice that both of these examples can be blessings from God if they are done His way, in His timing, to the extent He desires for us (1 Corinthians 10:31, Proverbs 18:22, Genesis 2:18). However, we must be aware that even intrinsically good things can be detrimental to us. It is the Creator that we must worship, not His creation. The appetites of the flesh, including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are insatiable. We must not cater to them, for they have the potential to consume us (1 John 2:16, Romans 6:23). Limited and finite things, even other human beings, cannot fill the void that only an unlimited, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God can (Psalm 16:11).
I encourage you to reflect and take inventory today about what you are thankful for and whether God remains your primary focus. As long as we keep our eyes on our Savior and immerse ourselves in His will, we will find that we will run the race of this life with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1). He gives us all we need to press forward and enjoy the journey (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, do not put yourself in a position where you look back on this life and fail to maximize the time for His glory (Ephesians 5:15-18, 1 Corinthians 10:31). God’s will for you is to immerse yourself in His purpose in light of His calling upon your life (Romans 8:28). Anything less is not living up to His will for you. Delight in God and derive satisfaction from fulfilling that mission (Psalm 37:4-7). It is only a matter of time before we reach the finish line on this side of Heaven and enjoy eternal life with Him (2 Timothy 4:7).
