. . . give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Be honest. Thanksgiving is a day to honor many traditions of the old America. It's a day to remind us of true thankfulness. It's a day that might be filled with fine food of all different kinds, maybe lots of football, and/or family, games, and for some it is the day before all the Christmas decor is brought out and put up.
Giving thanks is easy when life is easy. "All circumstances" don't seem to include those days of loss, sorrow, regrets, pain, and any other negative existence in our lives. Why would God tell us to give thanks in all circumstances when life can be so hard, so tough, so painful for so many?
My thoughts? He tells us this because He has given us life, He has chosen us for a purpose, He has blessed us with His presence if we're not too busy, too lazy, too out of tune with Him to notice, and He desires to be our Heavenly Father, the Great I AM, Savior of the world, and the One who wants us to eventually dwell in His heavenly dwelling with Him where all the curses of sin will be left behind and ultimate joy will the norm - no matter how unimaginable it might seem while we're here.
As hard as it might be to be thankful at times, give thanks with a grateful heart and lean into the presence of the One who loves you beyond what you or I can imagine.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Have a truly blessed and happy Thanksgiving.