Written by Dynamis Ministries | November 16, 2023
The holiday season. Ready or not, here it comes! This is the time of year that’s marked with anticipation, awe and wonder. The lights and decorations, the gift exchanges, the delicious food, the gatherings with loved ones and the breaks from work or school are reasons why this time of year is so anticipated. Yet the holiday season can also be marked with loneliness, stress, anxiety, disappointment and quarreling. For some, the holiday season triggers painful memories, exposes insecurities or reminds us of setbacks we have yet to overcome. Regardless of the range of emotions the holiday season stirs in us, there’s one thing in which we can probably all agree: for better or worse, it seems like the holiday season comes earlier and earlier every year, right? Boom, mic drop, ha-ha.
Traditionally, the unofficial start of the holiday season has been Thanksgiving Day. So, as we enter into this time of year no matter what it carries for us, we are first invited to celebrate a holiday of giving thanks. Perhaps this is no coincidence. The truth is, thanksgiving, or gratitude, is a posture we should all be practicing more of in our lives, regardless of our feelings or circumstances. Thanksgiving is a theme we see throughout the entire Bible. From the historical narrative of the Patriarchs to the wisdom literature in the Old Testament, and from the teachings of Jesus to the letters of Paul in the New Testament, all of Scripture is filled with the power of giving thanks. Whether explicitly or implicitly, it is clear that a posture of thanksgiving is central to how we are intended to journey with God and each other. It is also central to being generous. In fact, a thankful person is also a generous person.
One reason why being thankful is so closely connected to our spiritual well-being is because it reorients our perspective. Thanksgiving shifts our focus from ourselves to God. Through our gratitude, we are able to see God’s authorship of the blessings in our lives when we are experiencing times of joy and abundance. But gratitude also helps us see God’s faithfulness in unexpected ways even during times of trials. Living with this posture of gratitude fills us with praise, regardless of our circumstances, and when we are praising God we can’t help but notice a difference in how it changes our perspective. Our stewardship, empathy and service for others are all impacted by our level of praise and thanksgiving to God.
As we approach this holiday season, let’s spend time in reflection before God and simply express our gratitude. What are you thankful for as you reflect on this last year or season of life? Have you seen God’s hand of protection even during times of hardship? Have you experienced any significant life milestones or accomplishments that have been blessings from God? Can you thank God for answered prayers, or even “unanswered prayers” as it’s evident his plans were better? There is truly so much for which we can be thankful! Spending time in thanksgiving now can set us up to receive this holiday season in fresh, new ways. It can truly make this upcoming season the most wonderful time of the year!
