Thanksgiving 11.29.20
Jerry Beebe

 

I trust each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I’m sure it wasn’t the “norm” or perhaps what you would have liked, but in any case, no matter the circumstance, it is God’s will for us to give thanks.  Whatever we are going through, as individuals, families, a church or a nation; we have much to be thankful for!

Years ago I read a book that profoundly impacted me.   It’s called “Man’s Search for Meaning” and was written by Viktor Frankl who was a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.   Even though I don’t agree with everything he wrote, his handling of man’s last freedom is not only Biblically based but very grounding for all of us.   Frankl simply says, “No matter what the circumstance, you always have the last of the human freedoms:  to choose your attitude.”

The Bible teaches us the same thing as the Apostle Paul and Timothy exhort us to think on, to focus on, to talk about the positive things of life.  Phil 4 tells us the Lord is at hand so we need not be anxious about anything.  Pray, be thankful, and focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable.  Years ago I preached a series on how our attitude will determine our altitude.   It’s still true today.   There are many things we have no control over, but we can always control our attitude and our response.

Let’s determine today to be a “thankful” and “grateful” people, not just in this season of the calendar, but throughout each day of our lives.