By Thanksgiving: the expression of gratitude, especially to God
I know; it’s a little early for me to pull out the word thanksgiving. Afterall, this word evokes images of turkeys, mashed potatoes and gravy, casseroles, rolls, and food galore.
But thanksgiving is more than just a holiday where we stuff our faces, spend time with family, and go shopping afterwards.
Thanksgiving is defined as the expression of gratitude. So when we thank someone or show them how grateful we are, that’s thanksgiving.
But I’ll take it a step further and say this: thanksgiving is more than a simple expression — thanksgiving is a heart posture.
When we live in a state of gratefulness, our eyes shift from the negative to the positive.
For instance, if we wake up and it’s stormy and cold outside, we could focus on that and think I hate this weather. I can’t believe I have to go out in this. Or, we could focus our thoughts on thanksgiving and think Although this weather is terrible, I’m grateful I have this day; that this is the day the Lord has made; and I’m thankful I have a job to go to, even though I have to go out in this.
You see that? If our heart posture is one of thanksgiving, our focus shifts and our mood will probably brighten.
Thanksgiving can set the tone for the day. Instead of starting it off grumpy and bad (as the first example does) we could start off positively and thankful, like the second example.
So as you go about this week I want you to remember this: thanksgiving is not just a holiday. Every day can be lived in thankfulness.
Try living in an attitude of gratitude and see how it shifts your week. I bet if you truly give it a shot, you’ll see your focus shift, your mood improve, and your day gets brighter. We can’t control our circumstances, but we can control how we react to it. Living in thanksgiving sets us up for better reactions.
So try it this week. I dare you. Are you ready to be thankful?
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
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