3 Stumbling Blocks to being Thankful at Thanksgiving

When we think of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we typically think of words like “family” and “joy.” But a few years back, I came to realize that for many the words family and joy don’t work well in the same sentence. Family members are estranged from one another, and often when they do get together it’s more about enduring each other than spontaneous joy. I even had one person confess, “Why do you think we drink so much over the holidays? It’s the only way we can handle being together with people we don’t like very much.”  As we head into the holiday season, here are three stumbling blocks to being thankful and, most importantly, what we can replace them with.

1- We’re focusing on our circumstances when we should focus on the Lord’s steadfast love.

When Joseph found himself rejected by his brothers, falsely accused by his boss’s wife, and fighting despair in an Egyptian prison he discovered God’s steadfast love. In fact, several times in the Genesis account we are reminded that “the Lord was with Joseph.” But only when his circumstances were the darkest do we read, “and the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him steadfast love” (Gen. 39:21). God is with us at all times, but during our most difficult times—when we look to him—he feels especially near. Take your focus off of your circumstances and look to his steadfast love.

2-We’re comparing ourselves to others when we should value our uniqueness in Christ.

Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, made this danger clear. He writes, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12).

In a materialistic society, it’s easy to compare. We see others who have something we don’t, and it ignites a desire to have what they have. When our kids say, “Everyone at school has one of those but me!” it’s natural to feel that we’ve somehow fallen short as a parent. During such times, it’s best to look back at our uniqueness in Christ. John Piper gives a list of 13 of these realities. Here are a few of them.

• In Christ Jesus you were given grace before the world was created (2 Timothy 1:9).
• In Christ Jesus you were chosen by God before creation (Ephesians 1:4).
• In Christ Jesus you are loved by God with an inseparable love (Romans 8:38–39).
• In Christ Jesus you were redeemed and forgiven for all your sins (Ephesians 1:7).
• In Christ Jesus everything you really need will be supplied (Philippians 4:19).

We need to stop staring at what others have that we don’t, and gaze upon the realities of what we do have because Jesus came into the world to die for sinners.

3-We’re seeking happiness in people and things when joy is found in God’s eternal promises.

Thanksgiving is the day that is meant to look back and be thankful, but it is followed by the greatest shopping day of the year—a day we try to buy happiness for ourselves and others. Someone has wisely said,

If you’re not content with what you have, you’ll never be content with what you want.

Jesus warned that we would choke out the impact of the Word on our hearts by the “cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches” (Matt. 13:22). This year as you go shopping, talk less about the “deal” you got and more about the joy that can only come from the Lord. Here are a few passages to get you started.

• When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul (Psalm 94:19).
• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3)
• Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).

So this season focus on the steadfast love of they Lord, value your uniqueness in Christ, and find your joy in the promises of God’s Word. It’s a sure way to take steps towards being thankful at Thanksgiving.

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