Thanksgiving is a season meant for gratitude, yet it can also bring comparison, grief, and longing. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that contentment comes not from circumstances or possessions, but from trusting in God’s promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” True contentment arises when we recognize His presence in our lives, even when what we desire seems absent. This season, learning to be thankful for what we have—not what we lack—can transform our hearts and deepen our trust in God.

Highlights

• Contentment is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not worldly circumstances.

• Thanksgiving can trigger comparison, grief, or longing, but gratitude refocuses the heart.

• Practicing thankfulness for family, home, and relationships cultivates a heart of contentment.

• Avoiding a love of money or material things helps prevent discontent.

• God’s promise to never leave or forsake us is the foundation for genuine peace and joy.

• Even in seasons of loss or unmet desires, contentment allows us to recognize and appreciate God’s blessings.

• Reflecting on Scripture daily encourages a shift from want to gratitude.

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving

By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). 

While thankfulness should be our main focus on Thanksgiving, sometimes it can also be a time of comparison. When we go to family get-togethers or friendsgivings, it is hard not to compare our lives to others. Maybe we are the only single person amongst our friend group and we want to have a spouse. Or maybe we are recovering from the death of a loved one and we have a hard time coping with the lightheartedness of those around us.

Personally, ever since my mom passed away, Thanksgiving has never felt the same. Some years it has been easier to cope with, while others the depression, grief, and loss has felt overwhelming. 

Although my family’s Thanksgiving doesn’t look like other people’s Thanksgivings, it doesn't mean we can not practice thankfulness for the blessings that we do have. In truth, it has allowed us to develop contentment for the circumstance we have found ourselves in. While I would want more than anything for my mom to be here, all I can do now is to be content and thankful for the family I do have and the time we have together. 

The same goes for any circumstance you have found yourself in this year. My friend really wants to be married, but she hasn’t ever dated anyone and it gives her grief every year she sits in front of her siblings with their spouses. It can be painful to be in this situation and quite depressing, however, if we change our hearts to contentment rather than want, we will learn to be thankful in our present season of life. Instead of thinking of what your life is lacking, reflect upon all the blessings you do have, such as your family, a loving home, or a fulfilling job.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). While nobody knows with certainty who wrote the Book of Hebrews, we do know it was the Holy Spirit working through them. Therefore, this passage is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). 

From this passage, we are instructed to keep our lives free from the love of money and to be content with what we have. We should do these things because God has already told us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Since these things are true, we need to practice contentment and also avoid developing a love of money. A love of money or a love of things we don’t have will only lead to a heart of discontent. 

Reflecting on the truth that God will never leave us or forsake us can help us develop contentment this Thanksgiving season. Even if there is no spouse next to us, or a missing loved one across the table, or even if we’re surrounded by things we wish we had - whatever it may be - God is still with us. He will fill the void and bring our hearts the love, peace, and support that they need. God sees our pain and anguish, and He will bring healing in His proper time. For the present time, we need to lean into Him, practice contentment, and know that if we have Him, we truly do have all things.

What are some reasons why you’re struggling with contentment this Thanksgiving? Is there anything you can do to change your heart of want to a heart of contentment? Hebrews 13:5 urges our hearts to be content. What does it mean to you that God will never leave or forsake you? 

What are some practical steps you can take to foster contentment in your life?

Further Reading:

Luke 12:15

Philippians 4:11-13

1 Timothy 6:6-8

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