“I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you.” 
Joel 2:25

“Even when I don’t see it, you’re working.
Even when I don’t feel it, you’re working.
You never stop; you never stop working
You never stop; you never stop working.

-Waymaker, by the band Leeland

We are a week from Thanksgiving, from the turkey, the stuffing, the pumpkin pie, the football, and the food-induced comas. For some in our community, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to thank God for the blessings in our lives. Life is not a Norman Rockwell painting; our lives feel pretty good.

Others struggle with Thanksgiving (and the holidays, in general). Whether it is toxic family situations, a lack of financial provisions, troubles at work, or health concerns, it can be challenging to have an attitude of gratitude.

The prophet Joel tells about God’s plan to redeem and restore Israel after being in exile. The country is in ruin. The people need to repent of their sins. Amidst all that, God promises to “redeem the years the locust stole.” In other words, God will bring Israel through the difficult, tragic, and even horrific years to plenty where they will not be put to shame again. This is quite the reversal.

These words were spoken to Israel while in exile. The restoration had yet to happen. They had to believe it would happen even though everything around them screamed that God had forgotten them. They had to think God was working even though they could not see it.

During this season of Thanksgiving, let us remember that God is at work in our lives even when we cannot see it. ESPECIALLY when we cannot see it. Let us thank God even when we are going through difficult times so that the better times are all the better.