Where God's Word Meets Our Mess
Normally, this is the day that I would post a written encouragement to you about celebrating Thanksgiving (even if it's hard to celebrate this year, even if you don't feel like expressing gratitude, etc.). But to spice up your Thanksgiving week (*inert chuckle at Grace's attempt to be punny*), I wanted to share this 90-second video with you in preparation of this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
I am not saying that God caused the coronavirus. I am saying that God allowed the coronavirus because He let sinful humans with a freewill choose to sin. (I won’t get into the blame game of who caused the coronavirus because that’s a discussion for another time.) As a pastor recently explained to me, the Fall caused a lot of unpleasant consequences for sinful humanity, including illness and death. But I believe God can still use this messy situation for good…if we let Him.
Do you ever get tired of hearing that you have to be a smaller size? In order to be considered “okay” in today’s culture, you have to firm up your abs, get rid of your fat, tighten your butt, sculpt your arms, fit into those skinny jeans, and do it all with a smile on your face! If you’re tired of hearing it—and hearing it—maybe you need to stand your ground, rebel, and go against the tide. There is so much more to you than just a size or a number.
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. 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.
This Thanksgiving, I want to encourage you to do more than just mutter a sentence of thanks. There are other ways we can show gratefulness besides noting what we’re thankful for. Here are five practical things you can do this Thanksgiving to show your gratitude...
For a time, Raegan and I were friends. But our schedules changed, and so did our lives. We went our separate ways, but whenever I had the occasional encounter with her after that, these ugly feelings crept inside my heart and made me feel uncomfortable around her.
Every experience happens to Christians for a reason. Maybe you’ve experienced a trial to help someone else get through it.
What if you don’t feel thankful? What if you feel like you’re losing a spiritual battle right now…or losing a battle at work, with your spouse, with your health, with your kids, with school, with church, or with your sanity? I’m simply writing this post to remind you that you always have something to be thankful for.
There is no room for coincidences here. There’s no room for cosmic mistakes or luck or fate. Think of every tiny good thing as a blessing from God, and thank Him for it. Pay attention to the pink sunsets and colorful leaves and roaring ocean. Don't overlook them or their Maker. Enjoy them and thank Him for such lovely creations.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 