I may be wrong in my assessment (I have been known to be wrong a time or two) 🙂 , but I think one of the hardest parts of the Christian walk is practicing the Scripture which says, “Be thankful in all things.” (I Thess. 5:18)
“In everything give thanks.” Seriously? Does the Bible really say that? Does it really say to give thanks when my heart has been torn apart by a wayward child? By a health crisis? By a domestic crisis? By a financial crisis?
The short answer is Yes. Notice it does not say “Give thanks for the event/crisis.” But it does say, “Give thanks in the crisis.” Let’s substitute during for in. While the crisis is happening, or even after it, I am to give thanks.
I can remember a story from Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place. She and her sister, Betsy, were prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp and her sister told her they needed to give thanks for the fleas-the fleas that were in their hair, their clothes, their bedding. Sounded strange to Corrie until they came to realize the guards left them alone because of the fleas. They were free to have Bible studies and talk to other prisoners about Jesus because of the fleas and without fear of the guards.
Giving thanks in the situation NOT for the fleas. We are not asked to go all stoic as though nothing is bothering us. No, we are being told by Paul that while we are in the crisis, an attitude of gratitude and faith can change our perspective.
We can also see God working…even though we don’t understand. I don’t have to say, “Father, thank You for this cancer” (or whatever the crisis is), but I can pray, “Father, I thank You for Your presence and peace that is within me in spite of this crisis.”
Be thankful in all things.
Ooooooohhhhh what a great reminder and one we likely need to hear often. Life can be difficult on so many levels. We could up and get grumpy or so many other negative responses to whatever combinations of things that are happening in our lives. Doing as you just described is a great way not to “let our joy be stolen.” Thanks for the reminder.
1 Thess 5:18 used to be on my wall. Maybe it’s time it is again.
Thanks for your comment MS. Living with thanks in all things can help stop that “grumpiness” to take over. 🙂 And you are right: it is easy to allow our joy to get stolen.
Morning, Bill! What a great reminder to start my day. Thank you. Moments after the phone call came that exposed my husband’s secret life that would send me into shock and seconds before shock set in and my life would become a Lifetime movie, I threw my arms up in the air and thanked Abba that He had my back and was exposing my husband’s sin. That moment of thankfulness set my heart’s tone to get through these last 7 years. I am grateful for The Word of God that resides within me, for without my intimate knowledge of Abba’s Goodness, that never would have been my reaction. I praise His Holy Name!
Morning to you also Diane. Thanks for the testimony to God’s goodness and graciousness to you during your time of great stress. I’m so glad you were able to trust and run to the Father and into His arms.
too many people read this Scripture and think the word FOR is in there. it’s not. but right smack dab IN the middle of stuff He can help us be thankful.
only God can do that kind of miracle.
Exactly Linda! Only God…
On the surface, having a thankful attitude in the midst of a crisis seems impossible, but if we focus on God, He enables us to give thanks even in our struggles.
Blessings, Bill!
You are absolutely right Martha. “On the surface” defies what is really down deep. Giving thanks must be deeper in our hearts.
Great reminder Bill. Life of gratitude instead of attitude will allow us to also remember Romans 8:28. We will miss God at work in our lives if we are only focused on the hurt, or painful circumstances we are in. Paul’s life is such a good example to us on how to see past painful circumstances and still praise our Father. Paul’s view of when circumstances are bad to ask God what can I learn from this and how I can I apply it to my life to glorify our Father. Not easily done of course, but reading through Pauls’ gospels teach us how to walk in faith and be true to God no matter what we face.
You are right Gail. It is so easy to lose sight of God’s ultimate plan for our lives and that He will bring us to be conformed to the image of His Son (8:29). gratitude makes that much easier to happen.
Great post and great comments… Nothing to add except thanks for the reminder.
Thanks Ryan. And I agree about the comments.