By Rev. Wandra P. Williams
Sr. Pastor of Hull Road FWB Church
wandrapwilliams@gmail.com

Like many of you, fall is my favorite season. We love the cool fall morning breeze and the various shades of orange and gold displayed in the leaves. 

Fall is indeed a beautiful time of year and with this season comes the month of November in which we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. 

While fall is embraced and we begin to prepare for Thanksgiving, we tend to use this occasion to express our gratefulness for family, friends and the things we’ve been blessed to have. But have you ever thought about the power in saying thank you — not just exhibiting thankfulness at certain times of the year but genuinely being thankful for everything you’ve experienced throughout the year and in life?

What happens when we say thank you? Our expression of thanks lets the individual know we appreciate what they have done for us. When we say thank you, not only does it show our appreciation, but it opens the door for us to constantly develop a heart of gratitude. 

It’s easy to say thank you to someone, especially when a need was met. Yet, how often do we say thank you to God? How often do we thank God for the good and even not-so-good things that happen in our lives? 

Our attitude of gratitude is truly measured when we are faced with some of the most difficult and challenging situations. In the Bible, I Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

That word “everything” can make saying thank you tough. We are to give thanks in everything, whether that “thing” is good or bad. When you find out the job you had hoped you’d get, you didn’t get, can you still be thankful to God? Perhaps the dreams and visions you have are met with a plethora of no’s and it is as if no one is willing to say yes, but can you still be thankful to God? There’s power in saying thank you. 

When we are thankful in the good times and bad and it gives us the power to stay motivated, it gives us the power to continue to trust God and rely on our faith. Saying thank you empowers us to have peace and not worry because we know that God will eventually allow us to be met with a yes instead of a no, to be met with a “congratulations” instead of “we’re sorry to inform you …”

Be encouraged today and remember in all things give thanks. Be thankful for what the Lord has already blessed you to have and for the things He is yet to do in your life.