Thinking Like Turkeys at Thanksgiving?

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

How do you see the glass, half full or half empty? If we are not careful, we can allow our culture to corrupt our thinking. I recently overheard two men talking about a Cape Cobra snake slipping out of the brush at a South African golf course and angrily attacking a tee box marker. The two men’s discussion meandered from one continent to another and came to a thankful conclusion about how good we have it here in America “cause everything in Australia can kill you!”

Here we are, a few hours removed from a holiday gathering, where we gobbled up traditional family favorites, stuffed ourselves, but now are resolutely resigned to thinking like turkeys at Thanksgiving. Giving thanks is not a one-day seasonal holiday, it is a fundamental everyday occurrence for a person who loves God. Thanksgiving is a way to communicate with God our need for Him in every aspect of our lives. Starting as a state of mind, transitioning to a heartfelt response, and remembering that all blessings are from above.

Being thankful to God is a way to honor and praise Him. Afterall, doesn’t God deserve the glory?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Instead of grumbling and complaining about the things we do not like, or do not have, or the hardships we are facing, we can come to God thanking Him for all the good things He has been providing.

Thankfulness is a choice, a decision which requires action on our part. We can choose to always see the glass half empty, but what about the other half, isn’t it good? What we decide to see is left to the eyes of the beholder, and we can choose to see the glass half full, recognizing that God has a better plan than what we can see or even imagine!

As a Christian, aren’t you thankful to God that you do not have to earn salvation? Jesus Christ paid the price on the cross, and freed you from eternal death, when you asked Him to save you. None of us could earn our salvation, it is the ultimate gift of love from our Savior Jesus. Who will save me from this body that brings me death? I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Our enemy, satan, can turn, twist, or manipulate anything God created for good and make it look evil. God reminds us of His truth in the Word. In 1 Timothy 4:4-5 it says, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”

The Message translation expands this verse for greater understanding. “The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They’ll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

If we allow our mindset to be tainted by the things of this present age, we could easily be twisted up and anxious about the future. Yes, the world seems in complete chaos, a hopeless state. There are many “professional liars” who would have you believe down is up, but we know the truth! Be thankful God has given you a heart of discernment and ears to hear Him speak truth and LIFE to your heart and soul.

Here are some Biblical reminders about thankfulness.

• Psalms 92:12: Give thanks all day.
• Psalms 119:62: Give thanks at night.
• Romans 14:6: Give thanks while eating or abstaining.
• 1 Timothy 4:4: Give thanks for God’s provision.
• Jeremiah 33:6: Give thanks for our health.
• Colossians 4:2: Give thanks for everything you do. In the midst of suffering. When God closes a door.

Satan knows his time is short and he is ratcheting up the chaos. He is one unhappy camper, and he wants to take as many down as he can! But we know the truth, Jesus Christ has already sealed satan’s fate. And even better, we know our eternal home is being prepared for our arrival!

Oh, by the way, the reason the Cape Cobra was so angry and attacking the tee box marker, his archenemy, the Mongoose, is waiting in the brush. His demise has already been decided, the snake shanked on the seventh hole.