article by site founder, Connie Rice
It’s so easy for us to take the blessings in our lives for granted (even our own Creator and Savior and those relationships closest to us). We can develop a complaining and critical attitude where we focus on things we don’t like rather than choosing to look at the bigger picture. When we focus on the positive and count our blessings every day, it changes our attitude and not only does it make us easier for others to be around us, but we will become happier and more content. An article by Imed Bouchrika, Phd for Research.com offers “35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings for 2026”. Scripture shows us how to have God’s peace (which is not found in the world):
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:4-9
The Thanksgiving season reminds us to be more reflective. The First Thanksgiving in America was held to thank God for His provision in the new land. They were strong people, but they also recognized that they needed the Lord’s help in order to survive. It can be hard for modern Americans to comprehend the challenges of those early Americans. Here is the one of the only records of the celebration – from a letter to a friend in England from “E.W.” (Pilgrim Edward Winslow) as documented (and put in modern English) by “Plimoth/Patuxet Museums”:
“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit,with some 90 men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”
Winslow’s Letter in Mourt’s Relation (ed. Heath), 82
Those of us who have participated in even one mission trip have discovered how hard day-to-day life is for people in poorer countries. We also find that so many of our struggles are not that different from each other, but are common to all people. We are all made in God’s image and we are all trying to get by in a broken world that is under the sway of Satan, the evil one. He is the prince of this world and has had thousands of years to study humans and learn how best to take them down. He uses many Ds to accomplish this – doubt, deception, discord, distraction, distress, disunity, distortion, despair, etc. – all with the goal of destruction. Believers must realize that they are in a spiritual war, how to identify the source of each battle that comes their way, and learn how to live victoriously.
“Satan may be the god of this world, but his domain is limited to unbelievers. Born-again children of God are no longer under the rule of Satan. God the Father ‘has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves’ (Colossians 1:13). The apostle Paul was sent by God to turn people ‘from the power of Satan to God’ (Acts 26:18). Unbelievers, however free they may think they are, are caught ‘in the snare of the devil’ (2 Timothy 2:26) and lie in the ‘power of the evil one’ (1 John 5:19). As the god of this world, Satan exercises his power over the unbelieving world to keep them from Jesus. Second Corinthians 4:4 indicates that he is responsible for the spiritual blindness of people without Christ: ‘The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.’ Satan snatches the gospel from people’s hearts (Matthew 13:19). He promotes false philosophies and ‘doctrines of demons’ (1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV). Satan’s philosophies are the fortresses in which people are imprisoned, and they must be set free by Christ.”
quote from “Got Questions” article, ”How is Satan god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)?”
God has graciously offered us so much. As if Jesus voluntarily sacrificing His life to pay the penalty for our sins so we could have access to a holy God and be with Him for eternity in heaven isn’t enough, He doesn’t stop there. He also gives us the His Word (the Bible), the Holy Spirit, the path to a clear conscience, His peace (even in the midst of trials and chaos around us), and purpose during our time on earth, allowing us to be part of His Kingdom work of pointing others to Him so they can experience His amazing love and hope of heaven for themselves.
“O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation’.”
Isaiah 12:1-2
Through the Bible, God has revealed Himself so we can know Him as well as what is true and good. We also see how God has worked in the world throughout human history and allows us to see ourselves since our true identity comes from our Creator. God tells us how to fight spiritual battles with the Bible as our offensive weapon. Every believer should be reading through it every day, over and over again, throughout our lives. Satan attempts to keep us from being effective in Kingdom work and we cannot live a life of victory without knowing the Bible. Jesus is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings and has been given all authority. Through His name, we can tell Satan and his demons to take a hike and leave us alone.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:10-13
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can better understand the Scriptures, be reminded of verses when we need them, be empowered to overcome sin in our lives, have the ability to love, serve, and forgive others, and be transformed to accurately reflect Jesus. The Holy Spirit also convicts us when we do wrong, so that we can repent and ask for forgiveness and help to not repeat the same mistakes. Satan condemns, but God seeks to restore. Living with a clear conscience is a tremendous gift as well. The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish the calling given to us by God, who has created and gifted each of us for a life with purpose and meaning.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”
James 4:7-8When we take the time to reflect on what the Lord has already given us and focus on the positive things in our lives, we cannot help but be thankful for the unmerited favor He gives to those who choose to trust in Him. We truly serve an awesome God, who is also holy, deserving of our praise and to be kept in His rightful place as Lord in our lives. He is God and we are not.
© Constance Rice 2025
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