It has been said that the worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has nobody to thank. But how sad it is when a Christian has someone to thank, but doesn’t.

I saw an interesting Facebook post today: “Before we can be tempted to sin, we must first become unthankful for what we have”.

Our first parents had everything, but they were led to believe that something good and meaningful was being denied them. They lost confidence in the loving Father, the Creator, and in that moment
forgot thankfulness for all they enjoyed. They sought something more, and surrendered all they had.

They sinned because they believed a lie about their Father Creator.

Everyone acknowledges that some things are better than others. We usually take it for granted that being healthy is better than being sick, having money is better than begging, a meal with family better
than scrounging in dumpsters for scraps. But knowing that we might be worse off is not the same as being thankful. This is evident by the actions many, perhaps most will take to get more.

But thankfulness is not about rejoicing in what we have.

In order to be truly thankful, we must know that all that we have whatever we have at this moment is chosen for us personally by a loving Heavenly Father. That Father has the power to give us anything
at all and the knowledge to give us whatever is absolutely best for us.

True thankfulness is not an emotional response to having more than others. True thankfulness is a genuine confidence in a loving Father regardless of what we have. We, those who know the Heavenly Father, are
thankful because of whose we are; not because of what we have. Our thanks is not primarily for the things He gives us, but for the love He has for us.

From this perspective, the Christian can be thankful, whatever his circumstance. Must I eat scraps? If eating scraps is what God has for me, it must be best for me at this time; He will certainly use this
circumstance to draw me closer to Him, if I will respond appropriately. Must I beg for financial help? My Father may be showing me the error of my decisions and must be teaching me to walk in His ways. Am I
sick? Can I trust Him even in this, and allow Him to show His grace through me?

The Apostle Paul demonstrated this understanding throughout his life and ministry. While jailed for his faith, he wrote:

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

But Paul could rejoice regardless of his circumstances, precisely because he trusted God:

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thessalonians 5:18

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

As God’s people, let us show the world that some things truly are better than others, and let us give thanks every day. But the thing that is best may not be what I want or what others count as good. The
very best things, the thing I can be thankful for every day and in every circumstance is that my loving Father always does for me and gives to me whatever He knows is best for me. And for that, I am thankful.

O give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name; make known His doings among the peoples. Psalm 105:1 (JPS)