1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (CSB)

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (MSG)

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Yesterday morning, the temperature on the street in Washington D.C., as I was awaiting the Lyft driver, was 39 degrees. The skies were a brilliant blue. It was a good day to fly. The skies were similar when I arrived in Tampa, and the temperatures were quite cool for the location. 

I love this time of year.

The Thanksgiving Day holiday is drawing near. I am participating in the Day One app Gratitude Challenge, which includes two weeks of daily prompts regarding something I am grateful for. 

One thing I am grateful for is how many different ways our five-year-old granddaughter discovered to sit on me while she watched Bluey last night. I have photographic evidence of several contortionist-worthy poses. 

I am also grateful that my bride, and her grandmother, is on the way today to share in the fun. 

Taking to heart this text is not only good advice, it’s good medicine. Have you noticed how perpetually cranky people tend to have plenty of things to be cranky about? Cheerful souls, on the other hand, tend to find things to smile about. 

This is not a plea for people to fake it until they make it. Nope, not at all. Hard times come to all of us. Difficult seasons have a way of lasting too long. This is an invitation to recognize how we sometimes make things harder than they have to be. 

This may be nothing more than True Confessions of an Aging Male, but I don’t think so. Three people showed up at the gate for their flight yesterday and were already expressing negative thoughts even though they were at the right place at the right time and everything was in order. Some people are looking for something to be bothered about and find it. 

The Apostle Paul instructs his readers, including us, to learn the disposition of positive expectation. After all, God is in charge here, we belong to him, and he provides everything we need to experience the fullness of his goodness now and forever. 

Since we do see what we look for, look for something to rejoice over. 

Since we see all kinds of challenges all around us wherever we go, whatever we do, there are plenty of things to pray for, so learn the habit of simple prayers that last a word or two or a sentence or two.

Since gratitude reshapes our emotions and expectations, begin and end the day with thanksgiving and draw those two points ever closer together with expressed observations of additional gratitude all along the way. 

The most important thing about these three ideas is what Paul says at the end of the sentence: “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

God wills a good mood. God’s will is a grateful heart. God wants you and me to experience all of his goodness and to share it with others. Thanksgiving of this sort is contagious, infectious, and reorienting. It makes everything better. 

Even Eeyore was happy when he found his tail, even though he knew he would lose it again. 

Also, it’s Friday. 

Celebrate every bit of goodness today.

Pray all day.

Tell God, “Thank you.”

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I will live with a pleasant demeanor because of all that God continually does for us.

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Our Father, Giver of All Good Things, I celebrate you. Your gifts are great, but your heart is greater. Your hands are strong, compassionate, healing, and protective. Your words are trustworthy and empowering. Your will and ways always lead to my highest and best possible outcomes. I will seek these benefits for everyone along the way. I will express gratitude for every good and perfect gift of your grace. Amen.