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
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Contentment is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not worldly circumstances.
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Thanksgiving can trigger comparison, grief, or longing, but gratitude refocuses the heart.
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Practicing thankfulness for family, home, and relationships cultivates a heart of contentment.
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Avoiding a love of money or material things helps prevent discontent.
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God’s promise to never leave or forsake us is the foundation for genuine peace and joy.
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Even in seasons of loss or unmet desires, contentment allows us to recognize and appreciate God’s blessings.
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Reflecting on Scripture daily encourages a shift from want to gratitude.
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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