I’m so glad we have this time of year to remind us to count our blessings! All through the Bible, we are instructed to be thankful. But not only that, we are instructed to give thanks in every situation. I like the Amplified version of these verses:
Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, emphasis mine)
Looking back, I realize that everything that happened to me, good or bad, contributed to who I am today. Every.single.thing. Divorce, abuse, friendships gone bad, heartache, all of it, I am thankful for all of it. Of course, it’s easy to look back and be thankful, now that I can see with perspective and I can see the fruit that resulted. The difficulty is choosing to be thankful in the middle of a rough time.
- An editor or agent rejects your manuscript
- You become suddenly ill and can’t work
- A friend betrays your trust
- You lose a loved one
- Accidents, loss of job, writer’s block, the list is endless
Yes, thanking God for a tough time is the last thing we all feel like doing! But by the grace of God and by choosing to be obedient, it’s not only possible but it’s incredibly freeing and peace-bringing (a new word for you!). I don’t always jump into thanksgiving right away, and I often go kicking and screaming (so to speak). I’m so thankful for those times I can be thankful in the midst of a rough time…and what I learn about God in the process.
So back to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – it’s not hypocritical to give thanks when you’re suffering through difficult and hard circumstances. It’s obedient. Because when we’re thankful, we’re demonstrating faith that says, “I have no idea what is going on…but I trust YOU do and will get me through.” One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 13 – short and to the point.
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart day after day?
How long will my enemy exalt himself and triumph over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
Give light (life) to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted and relied on and been confident in Your lovingkindness and faithfulness;
My heart shall rejoice and delight in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
When I read this Psalm (and many others!), I realize God doesn’t expect us to deny our feelings and pretend things are OK when they’re not. What He wants is honesty: “God, this is HARD!! I’m hurting, I can’t see you, I’m afraid, what do I do now??” And then He delights in our confession of faith in Him through choosing to sing praises and give thanks regardless of the hurt and fear. We sing because of Who He is, and we thank Him for sending Jesus to die for our sins so we can live and reign with Him forever.
No matter what happens on this earth, our eternity with Jesus is secure.
Perspective. We know the end of the Story. In every situation, give thanks.
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him.
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