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Friday, November 6, 2015

Thankfulness in All Things




“Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV)




According to the above Scripture, what are we to give thanks for?  EVERYTHING!  With all that is happening in the world today, it is hard to be thankful—loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of homes, and loss of financial security—yet that is exactly the perspective our Lord desires us to demonstrate as His children.

Listening to the news can make it hard to be thankful—wars and rumors of war, terrorism, suppression of basic human rights, refugees seeking a safe place, squelching freedom of speech—yet we are beseeched throughout the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament, to be thankful no matter what.

We see this attitude of thankfulness—rejoicing in suffering—for the name of Jesus in various places in the Scriptures, Acts, in particular demonstrates this.  How do we feel (or will we feel) in suffering for the name of Jesus?

It is important to note that we are to be thankful in all things not for all things. Realizing this makes (or should make) a huge difference!  

The choice is ours as to how we will respond to the crises that come our way.  Will we get bitter? Complain to anyone who will listen?

Or will we demonstrate a peace, a thankfulness that is different than what the world would expect?


Have you ever met anyone who was able to be thankful no matter what? 

He or she could be going through a very rough time—facing many losses, yet he or she was still thankful.  Perhaps, others looking at his or her life would think, “How does he or she do it?”  “If I was going through that, I would not be able to go on—life just would not be worth the effort.” 

What do you suppose allowed them to have that type of attitude? 

One of my master’s thesis participants (who is also a dear friend) is able to do just that.  She is thankful for what she has everyday—she spends time talking with God about it too.  Why is she able to do this?  I believe it is her relationship with and dependence on God (Ephesians 5:20).  Cultivating this attitude is life changing. Try it for yourself!  I imagine that you will find that it changes how you see and react to the world.   

The apostle Paul learned how to be content in any and all situations (read the book of Philippians [a book full of joy and thankfulness] in the New Testament to see this attitude in action)—it was written from prison when Paul was near the end of his earthly life; he looked beyond his present circumstances to the future that awaited him in heaven. 

What do we have to gain by doing this?  From my perspective, we have much to gain—more than we can begin to realize.  It may not change our situation; however, it will change how we view and respond to our situation.  Those around us will notice the difference and wonder what is going on.  What a testimony we can share with those who are going through their own difficulties and challenges!

How are you doing when it comes to being thankful?

Please join with me in prayer:

God of all comfort, we admit that it is difficult to be thankful for all things, particularly when crises or suffering come that knock us off balance.  Help us to choose to be thankful for the bad and good in our lives.  Draw us so close to You that we depend fully on You.  Nudge us with reminders to pray continually.  Teach us to have joy and thankfulness despite what is going on in our lives.  May we desire to be thankful always no matter what the circumstances life brings our way, using Paul and others as our examples.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim






4 comments:

  1. To be thankful in all things, not for all things - what a difference a preposition can make, Kim! I believe strongly that being thankful to God makes this life so much happier and healthier. I do give Him thanks every day.
    Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha, a preposition can make such a huge difference! Thankfulness really does make a difference. When it comes to being thankful, I'm still a work in progress.

      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Hi Kim! I know when my husband lost his job (again) a few years ago, I just didn't understand why it keeps happening? And he is still not employed in his field. It took me a LONG time to make peace with our situation.
    Now I can be thankful for the fact that he was home when I broke my leg. That he was present when my mom died, and when his mom died too. God has reasons, and I may not understand them. So I have to be thankful right through the hard stuff...becuse maybe someday I'll be able to thank him for what seems so dark.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ceil! Job loss is so traumatizing to families (not to mention the person who has lost a job). Not being employed in one's field is miserable and can be downright horrible.

      I'm sorry you and your husband are going through this. However, I'm glad he was available when you broke your leg and when you moms died.

      Sometimes, it is in looking back that we see how the dark times were a blessing in disguise.

      Blessings!

      Kim

      Delete

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