One verse that God keeps bringing to my mind over the past year has been 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  As mentioned in yesterday’s post, because of who Jesus is we have many reasons to be thankful every day, not just in a certain season. No matter what trial or hardship one may be facing, God still calls us to be thankful in all things. Recently, I came across a list of Biblical reasons to be thankful that really encouraged me. I wanted to share it with you, and I pray it will remind you of the reasons God gives us to be thankful as we continue in this week of Thanksgiving. Have a blessed Tuesday!

1. God sent Jesus to Die for Us (John 3:16): “God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Regardless of what may happen to us in this life on earth, God has laid out a path for eternal life through the death of Jesus.  Through Jesus, God reconciles us to himself, restores our broken past, forgives us our sins, and invites us into an eternal life with us as the heirs to His Almighty kingdom.
2. He Makes Us New (2 Corinthians 5:17): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.”  No matter where we’ve been or what we have done, God makes us new again.  We are washed clean and made new, and his mercies are new each morning.
3. He Grants us Peace (Colossians 3:15): “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body, you were called to peace, and give thanks.”  God’s divine peace transcends all circumstance and guards our hearts and our minds in Christ.  Seek his peace in your heart.  
4. He Makes All Things Good (Romans 8:28): “We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him.”  God makes all things good, and brings beauty from ashes.  We can rest assured that in the wake of disaster, loss, pain, suffering, disease, calamity, destruction, brokenness, etc. that God will work it all for good in the end.
5. He will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8): “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Regardless of who and what we have lost in our lives, God will never leave us or forsake us.  
6. He is unchanging (Hebrews 6:17): “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.”  Unlike our circumstances, relationships, even ourselves, God is unchanging.  He never wavers and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  When everything in our lives seems unstable or ever-changing, God is the one thing that will never change.
7. He provides and He is good (James 1:16-18): “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting sand.”  God provides for those who love Him and He rains down His love by bestowing us with gifts from above.
8. He is sovereign (1 Timothy 6:15): “He who is the blessed and only sovereign one, the King of King and Lord of Lords.”  God is in control of EVERYTHING – of time, circumstances, relationships, and our health.  Turn over what little control you think you have and realize the maker of heavens and earth and of humankind has every little detail of your life under control.
9. He created man in his image (Genesis 1:27): “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”  We were created in the very image of God, in his likeness.  We are divinely inspired and a mirror of his divinity.  Try to wrap your mind around the fact that of all of His creations, he chose US to resemble him.
10. He created all things (Genesis 1:1): “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  Everything we know and see was created by God.  Take a moment to stare at the majesty of the heavens and earth that he created and let it inspire awe in your heart and mind.