Four Pillars of Thanksgiving

Introduction

Our lives are surrounded by fear, anger, and anxiety. This is no environment for Thanksgiving. We cannot be thankful if we are angry or afraid or anxious. Thankfulness comes from a much deeper foundation. Only through an awareness of God’s goodness in our lives can we truly be thankful.

Knowing God’s Goodness – The 3 P’s

Provision ()

Protection ()

Providence (; )

Anxiety –

Anger –

Fear – Perfect love casts out fear (Scripture)

Feeling God’s Goodness – Gratitude

Feeling is a choice

Gratitude is an attitude.

We must look back to see God’s hand in our situations. He works in the background and in the foreground.

We must trust God even when we can’t see him moving.

God’s goodness and greatness.

A grateful heart recognizes God’s goodness.

A grateful heart acknowledges God’s goodness.

A grateful heart is a generous heart. (Scriptures on generosity). God’s generosity in our lives propels us to generosity.

God didn’t have to do what he did for us.

Declaring God’s Goodness – Thanksgiving

Illustration: Thanksgiving table – what are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving is gratitude in action. The gratitude in our heart must get out through our words and actions.

We live in a world of entitled people who don’t think they need to show thanks.

Gratitude and Thanksgiving are rare.

Celebrating God’s Goodness – Overjoyed

Contentment (). It’s a lot easier to be thankful and content when things are going well. But contentment shines most in the midst of struggle and heartache.

Joy – A suit of armor we can work through trials. Joy is deeper, our anchor, in times of trouble. As the winds and waves buffet us above the surface, the anchor of joy keeps his firmly grounded in the eternal truth of hope in Jesus. The momentary circumstances of our lives can’t steal our joy.

Joy

Conclusion

A little over six years ago I was paralyzed from the neck down. But I have much to be thankful for. God has been good to me. I have a family that supports me in everything I do and loves me. I have nurses that regularly care for me. And I have a God who saved my life those six years ago and ever since.

Every morning when you wake up, think of one thing that God is provided, one thing that is protected you from, and one thing that God is directing your steps in. That will make it easier to be grateful for his goodness to you. And your gratitude will flow into thanksgiving, joy, and contentment.