Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Giving thanks at Thanksgiving might be easy, but thanking God in every circumstance challenges the best of us. Some claim it’s impossible.

I’m a nostalgic kind of guy. In my mind’s eye, I can imagine sitting around a table with the early Pilgrims and their Indian neighbors, who had shown them where to hunt and fish and how to plant. They made it through a long winter, planted their crops the following spring, and reaped a bountiful harvest. They thanked God, but also their Native American neighbors.

Fast forward four hundred years, and I wish I could thank God similarly with my parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents, great-grandparents, and cousins all gathered around a table. But our family has been torn by deaths, divorces, and remarriages, which have both increased and decreased our numbers, but also the number of houses everyone needs to visit during the holiday season. Add health complications and distance to the above, and the challenges multiply. Thankfully, our daughter has taken up the gauntlet and now invites us all to her house on Thanksgiving Day. Who would have ever thought she would one day enjoy cooking and hosting?

Even though the Thanksgiving celebration doesn’t look as I want—that would entail having all our family together, somewhat like a family reunion—I can still be thankful in all circumstances. And for quite an impressive list of things. Perhaps you can, too.

I’m thankful for my family. Although they don’t always act as I wish—which of us ever does—I’m proud of my family and grateful that God blessed me with children, grandchildren, and godly parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

I’m thankful for friends. The person who has several people in a lifetime who will stick with them through thick and thin is fortunate. Moving around so much has made this challenging for me, but I can still find several people whom I could call on if I needed them.

Additionally, worshipping a forgiving God makes me thankful. Through Christ, all my sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. He has removed my condemnation and given me Christ’s righteousness.

Furthermore, believing God has a purpose for my life makes me thankful. He says He has plans for me, that they are good, and that He wants me to prosper. I don’t have to drudge through life; I can enjoy every moment.

Knowing God has the power to redeem any and every situation also makes me thankful. God redeems the frustrating situations I encounter and the suffering I endure through His sovereign power. He brings good from bad and orchestrates events in amazing ways.

This Thanksgiving season, find reasons to give thanks to God.

Father, help me to thank You at this season of the year and throughout the year. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving: Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved.