Thanksgiving is happening this week! That means hot rolls, sweet potato casserole, and apple pie…oh, and giving thanks.
Last year, I wrote about three things I wasn’t thankful for. This year, I thought of two more things I’m not thankful for. But don’t just skim through my complaints and throw a pity party! Make sure you read through each section until the end so you can find some encouragement during this sometimes-difficult time of year.
1. Change
I hate change. It is quite disruptive.
Yet, somehow, it seems like my life is always changing. Ever since I became a tween, every year has looked different. From what older adults have told me, life won’t stop changing when I get older. Perhaps you heartily agree with them.
My life changed when my childhood friend moved away, when I got my driver’s license, and when I started college. Life changed when I got a summer job…and then another summer job…and then another summer job. Right now, my life changes every semester when I start new classes and get a new schedule. Life will change if/when I find a job after college, get married, and have children.
Perhaps you feel the same way—like your life is constantly changing and upheaval is a common theme. Maybe you’ve moved five times in the past decade. Maybe you’ve faced a serious of pregnancies and miscarriages since getting married. Maybe you’ve changed friend groups multiple times but have found no close friends. Maybe you’ve been promoted or demoted at work too many times to count.
I get it. Change is hard, and I’m not very thankful for it. But we can be thankful for this:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:7 NKJV)
This truth should bring us peace when our world feels chaotic and overwhelming. Jesus does not change. Neither does His character, His love, or His power. So, when life is changing constantly, remember He is constant.
2. Adulthood
This relates to change, of course. But becoming an adult is a unique kind of change. Entering adulthood means getting a boring job that you hate, waiting an eternity to meet your future spouse, and always feeling exhausted by your rowdy kids.
Right?
That’s the picture I have of adulthood. This past summer, I got a taste of adulthood when I had my first 40-hours-per-week job. I had to wear uncomfortable dress pants, sit at a desk for long periods of time, and wake up at the crack of dawn. And I was bored to tears.
Of course, don’t forget to throw in whatever else is on your plate, like PMS, a nasty breakup, expensive car repairs, chronic migraines, broken air conditioning, or loneliness.
That’s adulthood. Sometimes, I just want to be a kid. Forever.
Unfortunately, I can’t just turn on Veggie Tales and eat Goldfish to make adulthood disappear. Adulthood is going to happen to you (if it hasn’t already), and it’s happening to me right now. That’s why we can be thankful for this:
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:12 NASB)
As I’m sure you’ve heard before, God doesn’t promise us an easy life. He doesn’t promise to give us an exciting job or zero pain or lots of money. However, He does promise to sustain the righteous. That comforting promise should produce gratitude in our hearts.
Final Thoughts
Maybe Thanksgiving is going to be especially hard this year. Perhaps you’re going through something really difficult and don’t feel like being thankful. You’re not alone. But God’s unchanging nature and His promise to sustain the righteous are two reasons that we can—and should—still be thankful to Him.
Even if you’re experiencing frequent life changes or facing adulthood, like me.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 