The late Brian Clough was an English soccer manager who notoriously rubbed people the wrong way. A popular biography about him was aptly entitled, “Nobody Ever Says Thank You.” Clough, it seems, was forever indignant that people were never quite able to express their gratitude to him for his brilliance – he was never appointed manager of England’s national team but is recognized as the “greatest manager England never had” – despite the fact that he was unswervingly caustic, arrogant and, in the memorable description of his biographer, had “an unquenchable thirst for conflict.”

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God?

I Thessalonians 3:9

Are you waiting around for words of gratitude? It’s nice to be appreciated, but it’s more important to be thankful than to be thanked. Consider Paul, Silas and Timothy. They suffered constant distress and affliction and had plenty of reasons to be anxious and fearful. But they focused their prayers and attentions on giving thanks, not seeking it. By dwelling on what others were doing on their behalf rather than on their own hardships, they found true joy.

As you pray today, remember that while there is a lot wrong with America, there’s a lot right, too. Be thankful!

Recommended Reading: Psalm 95:1-7