I don’t know about you, but I love driving on windy mountain roads. Hairpin turns. Engine-taxing climbs. Brake-testing descents. Stunning views. Breathtaking drop-offs. Thin air. Eagles soaring mere yards away.

Things we have grown to expect on windy mountain roads—at least in this country—are guardrails. We don’t take offense at them. We know they’re for our protection. In fact, if we come upon a stretch of dangerous drop-offs without guardrails, we think to ourselves, “Oh, my! It would be certain death if you went off the road here! They need some guardrails!”

One of the best guardrails for our spiritual lives is thankfulness to God. The guardrail of thankfulness will protect us from many a terrible crash.

• Thankfulness makes way for humility as we recognize blessings and benefits we’ve received.
• Thankfulness helps us resist prideful notions that we deserve such good things.
• Thankfulness is an antidote to complaining; and an aid to contentment.
• Thankfulness increases trust in God as we rehearse His past provisions; and helps us resist worrying about uncertainties that lie ahead.

Let’s set aside some time this Thanksgiving to thank the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget none of His benefits. Ps 103:2

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us… with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Eph 1:3

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!