By Tutii Chilton
tutiichilton@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
Palau in Motion is about how a healthy nation is never still. It moves—through its people, its stories, its values, and its daily choices. This column exists because Palau is constantly changing, adapting, and growing, and our collective wellbeing depends on how thoughtfully we navigate that movement. In Palau, our health should be more than physical strength or medical care. It is the harmony between mind, body, spirit, community, culture, and the systems that shape our lives. Our wellbeing is woven through everything around us: the ocean that feeds us, the families that nurture us, the traditions that guide us, and the policies that influence our future.
For today I want to share how we give thanks; “Giving Thanks in God — For What We Need, Not What We Want”
Thanksgiving is a season that invites us to pause, look back, and recognize the movements of God in our lives. But the biblical call to gratitude goes far deeper than a holiday tradition. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are reminded: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This short but powerful instruction reshapes the way we understand thankfulness. It does not say to give thanks for everything, but to give thanks in everything. That distinction opens the door to a mature and grounded faith — one that does not depend on perfect conditions to remain grateful.
Gratitude, is a spiritual discipline that transforms us. It may not change our circumstances, but it changes how we interpret them. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has faithfully provided. In this transformation, we discover that gratitude is not built on abundance or comfort, but on trust — trust in God’s wisdom, God’s timing, and God’s grace.
Many times, what we want and what we need are two very different things. Our wants are shaped by emotion, culture, impatience, and the desire for ease. But God, in His love, provides what strengthens us, teaches us, and prepares us for our calling. Often, the difference between want and need only becomes clear in hindsight. We look back and realize that the door that didn’t open protected us; the season of waiting built our endurance; the challenge we resisted shaped our character. These are the hidden mercies of God — quiet provisions wrapped in grace.
Thanksgiving becomes sacred when we begin to see God’s hand in the essentials. Not the extravagant, but the sustaining. Consider the simple gifts that uphold our lives daily:
• the breath that wakes us each morning,
• the peace that steadies us in chaos,
• the strength that carries us through trials,
• the forgiveness that restores our hearts,
• the lessons that deepen our wisdom,
• and the people who love us and walk beside us.
These are not small blessings; they are lifelines. They are evidence that God meets our deepest needs in ways we often overlook. Even in seasons marked by uncertainty or hardship, gratitude reminds us that God is still present and still working. His provision may not always look the way we expect, but it always serves a purpose. When we learn to thank God in every circumstance, we anchor our hearts not in emotion, but in truth — the truth that God is faithful.
As we move through this Thanksgiving season, may this scripture guide our reflections. Let us slow down long enough to recognize the quiet ways God has sustained us. Let us thank Him not just for the blessings we hoped for, but for the necessities He lovingly provided. And above all, may we find peace in the assurance that His grace is enough for today, tomorrow, and every season to come.
Our Prayer: Lord, help me to give thanks in every circumstance. When my desires grow loud, steady my heart with faith. Teach me to recognize Your grace in the things I need, even when they differ from what I want. Thank You for providing wisdom, strength, and peace for this season. Help me trust Your will, Your timing, and Your unfailing love. Amen.
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