Thanksgiving Day is a time when many people pause to give thanks for many common blessings…(e.g. Jesus, family, friends, health, etc.). However, I want to share a few atypical reasons for which we should give thanks. Understand that by “giving thanks” for these things I don’t mean to imply they are pleasant and enjoyable, but they are things that help to mold our character and conform us more closely into the image of Jesus.  (I’ll also admit that I had to think long and hard about these things before I could truly agree to give thanks for them).

• We can give thanks for those who have sinned against us.  Does anyone come to mind?  Has someone deliberately tried to hurt, defame, or undermine you? Such actions help us to better appreciate the strength of character and the love Jesus had for those who were undeserving.
• We can give thanks for sickness, for it reminds us of the brevity and frailty of life. Illness often causes us to reevaluate our priorities and our need to wisely use the time we have been given.
• We can even give thanks for our losses, for they cause us to lift our eyes to heaven and refocus our desire to go there.

As I stated, these aren’t pleasant or enjoyable, but they can be viewed in such a way they help us achieve our ultimate goal.  With the proper perspective, we really can be thankful for everything (Philippians 4:6; James 1:1-4).

Steve Higginbotham