Be Thankful, But Remember Those Without

It is easy to not be thankful. The danger of not being thankful is that a person can become complacent and take things for granted. Abundance can result in becoming spoiled. We must focus on those less blessed and who are going through terrible times of adversity. I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that we should give thanks for everything “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This means a Christian can be out of God’s will by being ungrateful. Thankfulness is not  measured only by material wealth, which we have a tendency to do in the United States and other well- developed nations, but also by realizing the plight of others less fortunate in many other ways. How many people celebrate Thanksgiving with very little thought given to how blessed they really are?

When you sit in your living or family room enjoying the company of one another and eating dinner remember those living on the street with no meal to eat.

When you thank God for religious freedom think of those in other countries who are being persecuted and tortured for their faith.

When you meet as a congregation be mindful of the church buildings being destroyed in China and the Christians meeting in homes because they have no place else to worship.

When you thank God for your children don’t forget the 50 million babies that have been aborted.

When you are together with your families remember all of the broken homes, divorced parents, and single working moms.

When you thank God for your wife think about all of the abused wives who are living in battered women’s shelters.

When you thank God for your husband think about the men who have left their wives and families.

When you go to your job remember those who are standing in the unemployment line.

When you are thanking God for our freedom don’t forget all those military people who have made it possible.

When you wake up in the morning feeling healthy remember those spending their days in the hospital.

When you thank God for your pastor remember the members of the clergy whose sermons are being monitored by the government.

When you are together as a family think about those who are separated, like the military, and people like Pastor Saeed imprisoned in Iran for over two years, whose wife and kids in Boise, Idaho, are having another Thanksgiving without him.

When you take a hot shower think of those in other countries who have to travel several miles just to get water to drink.

Most of all, if you are a Christian, when you thank God for your spiritual redemption made possible by the love and grace of Jesus Christ, remember those still in spiritual bondage and living in the kingdom of darkness with no hope.

How blessed are you?