Yesterday morning in our worship service our pastor asked our congregation to name some things they were thankful for this year. At first there was only silence because shouting out things in church can sometimes be awkward, but finally people started responding.
“I’m thankful for my church family.”
“I’m thankful for my husband.”
“I’m thankful for Godly friendships.”
“I’m thankful for my family and God.”
“I’m thankful for my house.”
“I’m thankful I was born in the United States.”
All of these are wonderful things to be thankful for and I would assume that as you gather this week for Thanksgiving that you might hear some of the same responses from your own family and friends. It’s easy to be thankful for all of the good things in our lives. Loving family and friends, houses, jobs, freedom, food, warm clothes, and the list continues on and on. This week I was challenged to think beyond all the good.
While Paul was in prison he wrote a letter to the Ephesians to encourage them in their faith. He understood their suffering and persecution because he was enduring the same. Ephesians 5:20 says, “And give thanks for EVERYTHING to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul also says the same thing to the Thessalonians but the wording is just slightly different. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
So, if I understand this correctly, God’s will for us is to be thankful when someone we love is diagnosed with cancer? He really wants us to be thankful when we are experiencing financial hardships? What about when we lose a loved one unexpectedly? Should we also be thankful for our shortcomings? The answer is YES!
The reason we can be thankful for ALL things and in ALL circumstances, is because no matter what we are going through, God is still good! Not only is He good, but He is still sitting on His throne with a sovereign plan for your life.
If I lose a loved one I will be thankful for God’s supernatural peace. If I’m diagnosed with cancer I will be thankful that God still heals. If I am weak and stumble into sin I will be thankful that He is strong and His grace covers me. If I struggle with anxiety and fear I will be thankful that I am His and that I don’t have to have all of the answers.
There is nothing our God cannot do. That is reason alone to be thankful for ALL things and in ALL circumstances. I pray that this Thanksgiving as you gather with your friends and family that you will not only thank God for all the seemingly good things in your life, but that you also take time to thank Him for allowing the hard times, because it is only then that we see how awesome He really is!
April Brazelton
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#aprilbrazeltonblogs