“In everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”—1 Thessalonians 5:18
Is
it really possible to give thanks in all circumstances, no matter how bad? This doesn't mean we need to be thankful for
every turn of events in our lives, but it does mean we are to cultivate a
thankful spirit--giving thanks for the good things in life, and looking for
ways in which God brings blessings out of even the most difficult experiences.
Thankfulness
is powerful because it transforms
our thinking. It makes us joyful. Thankfulness
unleashes God’s power in our lives; it is the foundation of joy, and the
joy of the Lord is our strength. Without
joy we are weak. What wipes out our
joy? Complaining, feeling sorry for
ourselves, focusing on the negative aspects of our lives. But thankfulness
replaces all these negatives and restores our joy, which makes us strong and
powerful.
Paul said that we should overflow
with thankfulness, “Giving thanks always for all things to God
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).
When you and I are thankful for everything we affirm the sovereignty
of God in our lives. When I can be thankful for everything—the good and
the bad—it means that I believe God is in control, even when bad things happen
to me. That kind of thankfulness-giving thanks for everything—is so powerful. It means that
the enemy of our souls cannot defeat us, no matter what happens because we are
going to give a sacrifice of thanksgiving
even in the tough times.
In addition, when we are thankful, we affirm that we know and believe
that God cares for us. Did you know that
one of the greatest challenges to your faith is to believe that God does not
care? Satan wants you to believe that
God does not really care about you because then you will lose your joy and be
defeated.
The great Bible
commentator, Matthew Henry, once was robbed as he walked along a highway
Afterwards he told his friends there were four things for which he gave thanks. First, he was grateful that he
had never been robbed before. After many years of life this was the first time
he had been robbed and for that he was grateful. Secondly, he said,
"Though
they took all my money, I am glad they did not get very much."
That was something
to be thankful for. Thirdly, he said,
"Though
they took my money, they did not take my life, and I am grateful for
that."
And finally, he suggested,
"I
am thankful that it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed."
Let’s be like Matthew Henry and learn the
power of "overflowing with
thankfulness!"
Prayer—Father
thank You for reminding me the power of being thankful, and I ask You Lord to
help me focus on the positive to give praise and thanksgiving to You in all
things ,and Lord will you please restore my joy?, in Jesus Name. Amen.
