“In all things give thanks...” There are many challenging and difficult passages in the Bible. First Thessalonians 5:18 is one of them. But, to me, it is very important to note that this scriptural phrase begins with “in” rather than “for.”

I don’t believe Paul, the author of this scripture, is encouraging someone to give thanks for a child being killed in war, or for a spouse being diagnosed with cancer, or for a young friend dying in a tragic accident. I don’t believe he is advising us to be thankful for terrorist attacks.

When I think of this scripture, I think of one of my mentors, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993). Having had an opportunity to be on some programs with him and fortunate enough to have him write testimonials for a couple of my books, I was always on the lookout to glean from his wisdom. And I vividly recall Dr. Peale telling of some wisdom passed along to him when he was a young man. He was having some difficulties and shared his troubles with an older friend. He then asked the gentleman, “Why is it I am having such a hard time coping with these problems?”

The older man just looked at Dr. Peale. After a period of silence he replied, “Maybe it’s because you aren’t grateful enough.” Dr. Peale asked his friend what he meant. The counselor responded, “I’m talking about a law of living that you will discover someday. Focus on adversities and you’ll attract more of them. Be grateful for the privilege of living and your life will grow increasingly bright. My advice to you is to be less of a complainer and more of a thanksgiver. Your troubles will become a lot more manageable, I promise you.”

Dr. Peale said he learned a great lesson that day. When he became an older man himself, he said that years of observing life and people left him convinced that the words shared with him earlier were true. He said that over and over again he saw evidence that the acknowledgement of past blessings seemed to be the activator of new blessings.

That’s what the entire Thanksgiving season is all about. It is about turning the word “Thanksgiving” around and “giving thanks.” It is about focusing on the blessings, privileges, opportunities, relationships and other positive things we have experienced. We could spend the entire Thanksgiving season focusing on our troubles, trials, roadblocks and pains. For that matter, we could spend the rest of our lives focusing on the negatives we experience.

Throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, people will sit down to meals in homes, rescue missions, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, churches and other locations. Some who partake of these meals have been unusually blessed, and, hopefully, will acknowledge it. For others who eat or don’t eat during the season, life has taken an unusually bitter toll, and, hopefully, we will acknowledge them and reach out to them in some way.

All of us have experienced both the positives and the negatives in life. We know what it is like to laugh and to cry. Most of us know what it is like to experience almost unbelievable joy and almost unbearable pain. Thus, during this season, and on a continuing basis, may we give thanks for the good things of life as we work to alleviate the bad things for ourselves and others through the power that God gives us.

— © Carl Mays, author and speaker. E-mail to carlmays@carlmays.com. His books are available in stores, on www.carlmays.com and other Internet locations.