This Thursday, people all across the country will be gathering with their families in order to celebrate Thanksgiving. I think that by now, everyone has learned that this day is not just about turkey, pie, and football. It’s a day to be thankful for all that we have and a day to spend with family and friends. But sometimes, that’s a lot easier said than done. I think that it is time for me to be honest: I am not always thankful.

The Bible is full of verses telling us to be thankful:

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (ESV)

Psalm 107:1

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (ESV)

Ephesians 5:20

“… giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… “ (ESV)

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (ESV)

All of these verses seem full of commands to be thankful all the time and for everything. If this were true, then these would be very hard commands to keep. We would never be able to be upset, unappreciative, or anything else. We could only be thankful little robots. I don’t think that’s what my Father desires from all of His children. I choose to believe that these verses do not contain commands.

I choose to believe that God gave us the ability to be thankful and unthankful for a reason. He wants us to understand both of these emotions. We can’t understand what it means to be thankful unless things come into our lives that we are unthankful for. With that being said, being thankful all the time is something that should be strived for, but something that is not required from us.

When we experience seasons of unthankfulness, we must remember that it is not God’s desire for us to dwell on these unhappy feelings. Instead, we take them as they come, learn to deal with them, and then choose instead to dwell on the things that we are thankful for.

If you are feeling unthankful this week, your feelings are valid. But remember that it is also acceptable to move past these feelings.

Happy Thanksgiving!