Given the threat of North Korea’s impending nuclear capabilities, increased mass shootings in our own country, intolerant demonstrations in our communities and on college campuses, our politicians, not only being at odds with members of the opposite party, but also disagreeing with members in their own party, etc., how is it possible to truly celebrate Thanksgiving?

Yes, it does seem that we have been on a roller coaster ride through a labyrinth of international, societal and political turmoil. People are perplexed, confused – some despondent and downcast, some looking with great clouds of gloom and not exactly in the mood for Thanksgiving.

It doesn’t seem like a time that we can be very thankful. Yet, we are told in God’s infallible word that in everything we should give thanks.

Connected with the command to be grateful for all things, there is the promise that says, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Apart from that promise we would, no doubt in many circumstances in life, be exceedingly depressed and gloomy.

Still there are many today who, like the questioner, are very concerned about what the future might hold; yet we have the promise of God that whatever it is, He is going to turn it to our good. That is a wonderful promise which makes it possible for us to be thankful in whatever situation we find ourselves.

It seems that sometimes whichever way we turn we run into puzzles or problems or profundities we cannot solve. And yet, we have the promise of Christ that He will be with us and never leave us; the promise of God that He will turn all to our good. Because of that promise I do know that whatever happens next week or next year or in the next decade, that God is still with His own. Remember, He does not ever say that all things work to good for everyone – He says He “works all things together for good for those that love Him, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

So one day last week I decided I was going to be grateful for everything I experienced. (I suggest you too might consider doing the same. You might want to try it tomorrow, or on Thanksgiving Day itself.)

That morning, as I awoke, I thanked God for the fact that I had been asleep; having known many nights when I didn’t sleep at all – that was truly a blessing to thank God for.

I noticed that the night was disappearing and the sun light was beginning to shine through my window. I thanked Him that I had eyes to see that. There are so many people who never see the sunrise.

Then I realized I was lying in a comfortable bed and I thanked Him for that, as there are millions of people in this world who have no beds at all – who sleep on the ground or on the dirt inside a hut.

I placed my feet on the carpet and realized that there are so many people who cannot get out of bed in the morning unless somebody was there to help them. As I walked to the bathroom and realized again, how many millions of people could not even walk to a bathroom.

I continued thinking that way throughout that day. It made me realize how ungrateful and unaware I am of the many blessings I have. I am sure there are probably hundreds of other things in the brief period I described that were blessings that I did not even think about.

So I would say to you that Thanksgiving is not only a command but an art; and like all art (whether singing, playing an instrument, painting, etc.) it takes practice. So we all need to practice the art of Thanksgiving.

Oh sure we can think about the bad things that have happened or that might happen. But let’s be thankful that we live in a nation that has the freedom that we have.

Let’s be thankful knowing that God has the heart of the king in His hands. He is still the sovereign ruler of all and He is still working out His perfect purposes for our lives. May God help each one of us to practice the art of Thanksgiving this Thanksgiving season.