Tag Archives: giving thanks in all circumstances

Give thanks…when?!

 

 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

It is easy to thank God when times are good and things are going smoothly. But we are instructed to give thanks in ALL situations. Why? Because it is God’s profitable will for us. Now, I admit giving thanks was not the first thing on my mind the day I received my cancer diagnosis. My body was already broken down and I was so exhausted I didn’t know what to think, but I know giving thanks wasn’t at the top of my list. And yet, with the passing of a few weeks, it was easier to give thanks in – and for – revealing the cancer in my life. Why? Because it also revealed the cancer in my spiritual life. Depending too much on myself and ‘my rights’, lacking more discipline in my prayer life, and pride were as much of a cancer as the Leukemia that was killing me.  Furthermore, my physical cancer revealed  God’s protection over me. Had I pushed ahead with my plans to relocate to South America right away, I likely would not have been diagnosed, and that would have been a death sentence. If diagnosed, I likely would not have received the expert level of care that I received here.  Not only did I find God’s protection but also His provision. He provided a platform for reaching others with His truth and grace in the hospital environment, patients and staff. He provided time for me to grow up (to mature as James writes in the below passage). He provided opportunity to draw Marcia and me even closer together. He provided opportunity to learn and practice humility.

 

As you look back on the tough times in your life, can you see how those difficulties yielded benefit to you? Maybe you would still choose to have avoided them if you could. Maybe the pain of those memories continue to scar your life. But haven’t they also provided some good? It is the intent of our Great God to bring good out of distress. We are so used to weighing goodness on a scale of our own feelings, our comfort, and our personal gain, that it becomes so difficult to see how tough times can play out on the grander scale. Yes, there are seemingly senseless and completely unjust acts. Yes, the rain does fall on the just and unjust alike. But if we cannot find any reason to give thanks and pray continually even in those times, what can we hope to become? If our faith is only tested to be strong in the easy times, of what real use to us is it?

 

Whatever happens today, practice giving thanks, with continual prayer and petition to God. Know that He will not abandon you and He desires to redeem goodness from bad situations.  Ask Him for strength and wisdom to respond well, to persevere, and to finish His good work in you, so that you lack nothing.

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7