How would you fill in the following sentence? "This past week I have been most concerned about _____________." Most of us have been wrapped up in our own worlds, worrying about food, clothes, cars, housing, or insurance. We have spent 40 or more hours paying for such things, ten or more hours commuting to and from our jobs. We have spent numerous hours cooking, cleaning, doing yard work and laundry. All important things — but our lives too easily become consumed by all of this worldly stuff.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 to not worry (fret, be anxious) about one’s life, what one will eat or drink, or what one will wear. However, if we are honest, our lives are consumed with worrying about all this stuff, especially in these unsettling economic times. He is not saying that we don’t need to work or seek to provide for our needs. He is encouraging his followers to keep their priorities right — to seek first his Kingdom and his Righteousness (Matthew 6:33). IF we will do this, God promises to provide for our needs.

The Apostle Paul says it this way: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God," (NIV). I call this THANKS-LIVING — living with an attitude of thanksgiving. Living with appreciation for God and all He is doing in one’s life — thanksgiving that he saved you, that he is faithful, that he is trustworthy, that he is big enough to take care of your needs.

I have discovered a few things about Thanks-Living (and I am still learning). 1. The burden lifts when you do this; it is replaced by God’s peace. 2. God becomes a "partner" in what you are facing. 3. It gives you a spirit of anticipation about what God is going to do. 4. God has always been faithful and will always be faithful. 5. It increases and strengthens your faith.

Thanks-Living. Try it today. Work on it all week. Let Thanksgiving be a reminder of Thanks-Living. You will be absolutely amazed at the difference this makes in your life.