The World's A Mess... What Do I Have To Be Thankful For? By Kevin Bullard

A news reporter once asked me what folks had to be thankful for that upcoming Thanksgiving season. He cited the "iffy" economy and war in Iraq. He then mentioned that he had a child being born within the next few weeks, and would "love to have reason to be optimistic about the world in which he will grow up."

Here was my response to him: Granted, the world is full of rotten things that can cause one to become ungrateful, bitter, and have a drab outlook on life. One thing to be grateful for, however, is the promise of life offered through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).

Important: This "thankfulness" isn't necessarily based in emotions because emotions are fickle. Instead, it's based in faith, as is living a "God-insulated" life (a life where you're surrounded and protected by God's favor, love, compassion, mercy, and faithfulness).

To elaborate on what I told the reporter, life is full things that can easily steal your joy, vigor, and for some people, even their will to live. The only way you or any person can be continually thankful is to look with the eye of faith to the "promised life offered through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).

Just what is this "promised life" the apostle is talking about? I believe it has to do with promised provision, joy, peace, and well-being here on earth (the abundant life), and the eternal life offered in heaven. To "get in" on either of these wonderful offers of life, the apostle makes it clear that it must be through faith in Jesus Christ.

If you've already accepted Jesus and you're reading this article, check yourself to see if you're "tapping into" the wonderful resources God has offered you through Jesus. Laced throughout the New Testament are wonderful treasures which belong to the person "in Christ." Here are a few of the many:

As I said, these are just a few of the many exceeding great and precious promises that belong to the person who receives the promised life as a result of being in union with Christ Jesus.

By looking to and meditating these promises, you can find a lot to be thankful for. The reality of life is this: Regardless of what negative things may happen to you, and in spite of how things may not go your way; the promises of God are always valid. Moreover, God is always willing to bestow them in your life. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes and Amen' in Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:20).

It is incumbent upon you to expect the fulfillment of God's promises in your life. As you build your hope towards their fulfillment, you'll find yourself thanking God in advance regardless of what's going on around you.

Everyone - not just you - is living in this cruel world and experiencing the "effects" of it to some degree. Instead of going the way of the world and becoming hard and bitter and plaintive, praise God for the promised life!

Writer Anna Lappe wisely said, 'Hope doesn't come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad. It's simply a choice to take action."

Your hope in this world comes from you making a choice to look at and expect the promised life through Christ Jesus. Set your affections on things that are above and eternal, not the things here on the earth. Meditate those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, and virtuous. Make your mind reflect on the good in life and not the bad.

There will always be plenty of things to snarl at. But as Roman comic dramatist Terrence said, "While there's life, there's hope." Put your hope in God and not the changing world scene.

You have the promise of the abundant life now, and the eternal life to come. Though the world's a mess, if you focus on God's promises, you'll find a lot to be thankful for.