There’s always something to be thankful for

THERE is plenty of bad news around — just turn on the television news for a 24/7 offering of crises, conflicts, climate change and crime.

But our minds, like our bodies, benefit from a more balanced, healthier diet, which needs good news. We all need more of the good stuff to help tackle the mounting mental health tsunami affecting our country.

I’m including some bits of Bible wisdom that stand the test of time and help us to think positively.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.... And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8)

We have so much to be grateful for. What a privilege to live in such a beautiful area of the country.

Regularly voted one of the best places to live in the UK, Henley has natural beauty, simple pleasures of river and hills with lovely villages and great access to London. (Yes, I was an estate agent once!)

We have a great network of caring organisations and social clubs — the 60+ Social Club in Greys Road car park, sports and music clubs, charitable organisations including Rotary and Lions, the YMCA, Riverside Counselling, the Chiltern Centre, Citizens Advice, flourishing local churches, excellent schools and Townlands Memorial Hospital and many, many more.

I’m involved with two amazing charities in Henley — the Nomad youth and community project and the Churches CAP Debt Centre. Both do excellent work under the radar benefiting families and the whole community.

Thousands of food parcels, dozens of mentoring sessions for young people, parenting support, a packed after-school and holiday club programme from Nomad and
25 households debt free and released from more than half a million pounds of crushing debt over the past three years through CAP. Let’s give thanks.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Whatever our situation, we always have something to be thankful for, it’s such good medicine. It’s worth taking a moment every day to give thanks — even if it’s just for the water that comes out of your tap or the roof over your head.

Pray for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2).

Don’t forget to be thankful for our MP, Freddie van Mierlo, and local councillors — they give an incredible amount of time and effort to strengthen our town.

Ignore the politics for a moment — we are called to pray for our leaders whatever their persuasion. Remember, when this verse was written the “leader” was the brutal and debauched Caesar Nero!

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because, if it prospers, you too will prosper (Jeremiah 29:7).

Challenging advice for a people exiled to Babylon around 597 BC. Yet, more than 2,600 years later the same basic advice still applies. If we each do all we can to foster peace and prosperity for our town, we are all going to benefit! Now there’s a good thought.