Usually, Thanksgiving is the time of year when we share what we’re thankful for. But in this post, I decided to do something different. I’m going to discuss three things that I’m not thankful for (plus offer some encouragement with you if you, too, aren’t thankful for them):
1. OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (also known as OCD) affects many people. Some forms of OCD include pulling out hair, ensuring appliances are turned off, checking that doors are locked, washing hands extra carefully, putting away dishes in a particular order…the list goes on. Basically, OCD is about ensuring perfection—that everything (or one specific thing) is done absolutely perfectly.
Many of us struggle with OCD because we don’t have perfect lives, so we feel like we must ensure that (at least) one area of our lives is perfect. OCD has manifested itself in lots of ways in my lifetime, and it’s so frustrating. But no matter how many times I try to meet the demands of my OCD, the same feelings keep coming back.
But…
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB)
We don’t have to give in to OCD. It’s always a choice. Every time that you want to check the oven to make sure it’s turned off or grab the scissors and snip your hair, you have a choice. The choice is this: You can give into OCD and be trapped in obsessive behaviors for your whole life—or you can cast your anxiety on Him. Because He cares about you deeply.
2. Stress
I’ve talked about my stress level before and how my stress isn’t going to end until I’m in Heaven. I feel stressed by my busy schedule, class assignments, and growing to-do list. I feel stressed by the future and what I’m going to do after college. I feel stressed about a lot of things. Most of us do.
Like OCD, stress manifests itself in different ways. Some people cry, withdraw, overeat, get angry, or have panic attacks when they feel stressed. We can experience stress because we fill up our schedules with too many activities or because we have poor time management skills. But it’s likely that we experience stress simply because we’re failing to rely on God.
But…
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV)
This verse is actually about order in the church as it relates to prophesying. However, I think that it can apply to other areas of life, including stress. God doesn’t command us to be busy or have full schedules. Rather, we choose to be busy and fill up our schedules. We often cause unnecessary stress by doing these things, and we always look to ourselves to handle it. But God is the God of peace, and He wants us to fully trust Him.
3. Satan’s Lies
This is—by far—the thing that I’m least thankful for. If Satan wasn’t such a talented liar, OCD, stress, and a plethora of my other issues wouldn’t be issues. Without his lies, it’d be easier to believe that God loves me and gives my life value and purpose.
Thanks to Satan’s lies, I almost ruined my life. But we can’t resist the devil in our own strength because we’re too weak. Instead, we consume his lies like candy and feel defenseless in fighting them. Satan tells us the same lies day after day after day—and we tend to believe them.
But…
And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10 NASB)
It feels like the devil has been tormenting me for an eternity, but I can smile when I read this verse. Satan—who has been lying to me and making me absolutely miserable—will literally be tormented forever. There will be no escape for him, and there will be no end to his suffering. Jesus will defeat the devil and his lies once and for all.
Closing Thoughts
This Thanksgiving, there are probably several things that you’re not thankful for. But cling to the promises of God in this season. Don’t forget who He is and what He has promised you. If you focus on that, you can have a good Thanksgiving this year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 