How Can We Celebrate Thanksgiving When We Feel Sad?
Thanksgiving is one week away. My heart is heavy for those of you facing this day set aside for giving God thanks when all you feel is sadness.
You or a loved one may be experiencing a health challenge.
Maybe on this Thanksgiving the familiar face of someone you love will not be at the table.
It could be life is just plain difficult right now - relationally, financially, etc.
Giving thanks for anything seems remote and artificial because you are absorbed with pain.
If that's you today, let me assure you that...
Jesus understands.
Isaiah describes Jesus as "a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).
The author of Hebrews says "...we do not have a High Priest [referring to Jesus] who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses..." (Hebrews 4:15).
And in His darkest hour, Jesus told His closest disciples, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death..." (Matthew 26:38).
Yes, Jesus understands sorrow and sadness.
His familiarity with grief and sorrow allows Him to sympathize with your current pain.
While thinking of you early this morning, this verse caught my attention...
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
Hebrews 15:13 (NKJV)
What a beautiful picture of what's involved in giving thanks even when we feel sad.
First, we see it is only possibly "by Him".
We need His help.
We also need to remember He is the recipient of our praise and thanks.
No matter what we face, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) - and He is with us (Psalm 41:10)!
Secondly, we are to make this offer of praise on a continual basis.
Continually. Constantly.
Always. Repeatedly.
"Offer" implies this is voluntary.
Completely and totally voluntary.
No coercion.
Thirdly, we find the crux of the matter: this is a "sacrifice of praise".
In seasons of sadness, the act of giving thanks is a sacrifice.
It may cost energy we may not feel we have.
It may cost us pulling our attention from the issue facing us and looking to Jesus.
It will be a sacrifice because it's not how we feel inside.
That's when we need to remember giving thanks is not about me and how I feel.
Giving thanks is about recognizing a gracious gift someone has bestowed on us.
When thanking God for His many gifts, including the sacrifice of His Son, despite my personal sadness, my sacrifice is a mark of humility and faith.
I'm recognizing He is worthy of my praise and I am choosing to keep believing Him regardless of how I feel.
Finally, we come to a beautiful, picturesque phrase... "the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name".
Fruit is sweet and pleasant.
As we give thanks to God, it is like fruit on our lips.
If you are in the middle of a difficult season, you can probably use some pleasant fruit in your life right now.
I know it seems counterintuitive but stopping in the middle of our sadness and verbally thanking God for the things He has done brings a pleasant taste to our lives.
So today, as an act of faith, my dear friend, I encourage you to rely on Him to help you offer your sacrifice of praise.
May you experience the fruit of His love, joy, and peace as you give Jesus thanks!
I pray God holds you in His hand during this season.
Much love and may blessings,
Kathy Ann
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