By Melanie Mar Chow

Though we have just finished Thanksgiving, there is still much to be thankful. We still have leftovers. After the 24 hours of non-stop eating and meeting for Thanksgiving, we need to address our physical health immediately to counteract the day of food blessings. 

There is the timeless truth that it is a good thing to pause and celebrate Thanksgiving each year. When we practice thankfulness in our hearts and minds, medical studies have proven that we better our bodies overall. Harvard Health recently published an article on how giving thanks can also make you happier. They stated that wellness is enhanced when people regularly give thanks for who they are and what they have instead of trying to find new hopes to satisfy their every need, body, mind, and spirit. The ongoing practices of thankfulness are said to help overall well-being. The article then offered ways to achieve better wellness.  

Timeless truths of the Bible are so important to us. Though there are times we feel the practices of being thankful might seem contrived or forced, it is a simple and easy practice to give God thanks for our days. The Daily Examen is one practice that provides a guided manner of prayerful reflection. The Examen gives time to recall the day, events by events, to invite God to direct our responses and next steps.    Each time I make time to do so, I can see that God was a part of my day, and His wisdom is so much better than mine.  

For example, I was frustrated because of an argument. After taking the time and asking what Jesus would have me do, I was able to recall bible passages that have always encouraged me to go back to His ways first.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18 is a timeless truth that brings encouragement:  
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (NIV). 

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to be thankful in all circumstances.  How better is it to know that God’s will through the life of Jesus that makes such a difference.  When we see God’s intention we can then better live in the manner of another timeless truth that has been a reminder of how we should live, especially during the Pandemic. 

As we begin the Advent season and ready ourselves to light the first candle, the Hope candle, Romans 12:12 is the timeless truth that we have joy in the hope of Christ always. Invite Jesus again into our times of affliction. He will be with us always as another timeless truth reminds us of Him being with us to the very end.  

Finally, the timeless truth for us as His people is to be faithful agents of prayer. We know God answers those who maintain His will and ways. If we emulate thankfulness when prayers are answered, our attitudes improve. So, follow the timeless truths of God’s word for a season, not just read one verse one day and move on, but take the time to go deeper to seek encouragement through the depth of Thanksgiving in our lives. May this then bring hope in this season of waiting upon Jesus for our world. Let us not forget His presence with us daily so we may find renewed hope in the timeless truths in the living word, Jesus. And yes, Jesus loves us. 

Rev. Melanie Mar Chow serves God through Asian American Christian Fellowship, the campus ministry division of the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS). She has been an ordained American Baptist minister since 2004. A Pacific Northwest native, she currently lives with her husband and daughter in Southern California.