No Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

There's many reasons to be thankful. We are reminded in many ways especially at this time of year. But there are also days in which it is hard to be thankful. We don't feel lime thanking the Lord, not because we don't love him or were not grateful, but because of something we mi ght be going through. A lot of people have trouble with the holiday season. It's not a happy time for them. They need time to not be okay with the celebrations happening around them. They are going through unimaginable pain of which we know nothing and cannot comprehend. It could be recent. It could be lingering. It could be dealing with anxiety or other mental disorders that make it difficult to enjoy the season. Whatever it is, it could be keeping them from giving thanks.

And it's ok. Why? Because the last part of this verse tells us that God's love endures forever. His love is stronger than our pain. His love is harder than our pain. No matter how long we go without thanking him, no matter how much we rail against what's going on, he will be there. His love will endure, waiting for us, taking us where we are and how we are. He knows our hearts so we can be honest with him about how we feel, and we may not feel grateful. He understands and he will be waiting there when we're ready.

So this holiday season, meet people where they're at. Love them. Listen to them. Be that enduring love of God without expecting thanks.