Every Thanksgiving, I say the same thing. “I wish I could eat stuffing more than once a year.” People laugh and nod in agreement every time. 
But today, I realized – along with baked bread and sausage, the posture of thankfulness should also remain a regular member of the dinner table. And that kitschy question answered between forkfuls of turkey and gravy doesn’t get enough credit. What am I thankful for, anyway? And why do I have to remind myself of what I know I have?

Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.”

Paul mentions a few concepts here; two that seem contradictory – peace and control. We tend to think of peace as something passive, not active. How can Jesus’ peace actively control our hearts?

By us actively giving thanks.

As we give thanks, our pride melts. We start with our lives, our families, our friends, our opportunities. And soon enough,  we’ve surrendered to the control of peace. We’ve become more pleasant people. We don’t mind living with ourselves. Because ultimately, who doesn’t want a heart controlled by peace?

Make it a habit to actively give thanks every night. It’s worth it.