Thankful for you!

A wise teacher once told me, “Be thankful for a normal day.”  She’d been through some extremely difficult times, and she’d learned to appreciate the days when nothing serious was happening—when she wasn’t in the midst of a storm.  I’ve tried to remember that over the years. I’ve heard to be thankful when the laundry is piled high, because you have clothes, and when the dishes are dirty, because you have food. To be thankful when politicians argue, because, in our country, they can.
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And that’s all so true.

But what I’ve also tried to learn, as I’ve grown older, is to be thankful for something—anything—when I am in the storm. When it is not a normal day.
All of us have challenging times, whether over health or finances or family or jobs. It’s so hard to get off the hamster wheel of anxiety during those times. Fear tries to shackle us.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) says:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When anxiety or depression locks us down, clutches our chests, steals our breath, the writer of Philippians instructs us to pray with thanksgiving. That’s incredibly difficult. Impossible, even, without God.

But I believe that tactic works, because we are in a battle, and thankfulness can be a weapon.

So when we’re in the storm and under the harshest trials, can we find something to give thanks for? A sunset, a pillow, a friend’s call, a roof, a butterfly, a pet, running water…forgiveness, mercy, freedom. If we really try to count our blessings, like that old hymn says, we may find comfort and remember that God is in control.

It would be pretty boring writing without you, my friends, on this journey! 
I am thankful for you!
Blessings to you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for this year?
You can leave a comment below :) 

P.S. If you feel like reading over the holidays, here are some Christian or clean novels at free or 99 cents Nov. 28-Dec. 2. Click this link to find them and enjoy! 
​Link to books