As we once again come upon Thanksgiving, Christians should be the most thankful of all.  With the uncertainty of the economy and job loss at record highs, many are finding it difficult to be thankful this year.  Understanding that these are indeed trying times, God reminds his people that we are called to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thess. 5:18).  I found the following anecdote from Matthew Henry to be a challenging and encouraging example.   

Most of us are familiar with The Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole on the Bible.  If you are not, you should be.  On day, Matthew Henry had the misfortune of being robbed by thieves. Afterward, he found four things for which he was thankful. That day he wrote these words in his diary: “Let me be thankful, first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because, although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

There is always reason to give thanks!