"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
"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 4:6-7
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 20
The Apostle Paul, the great teacher, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to instruct the Church on many, many things. One of those lessons that we, as Christians are called to study, meditate upon, learn and accept is the fact that we are to be thankful always and for everything. This command may seem easy. I mean, how easy it is to say thank you, right? Someone gives you a present, you say thank you. Someone opens the door for you, you say thank you. Someone helps you carry a heavy bag, you say thank you. Someone offers you any kind of help, you say thank you. After all, we are taught since before we can speak, to say the magic words: please and thank you, correct? So, of course we have no problem offering our thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty for all His blessings. It's only natural.
However, what about that little phrase: "in all circumstances"? What about that pesky idea of "in every situation"...that little word "always"?
Always means at all times, in all occasions...
I don't have to tell you that life isn't "always" pleasant and good and bearable and smooth. I don't have to give you examples of occasions that are not perfect, beautiful, nice, loving or excellent. From forgetting to pull the green beans out of the microwave, undercooking the turkey and getting everyone sick with food poisoning to not having enough money to afford a turkey or having empty seats at the holiday table...life often is full of hardship and heartache. And that's when the instruction of giving thanks "always" becomes an issue.
Today I read a post on my devotional that helped me look at this command to always giving thanks to God the Father for everything from a different perspective, which I hope allows me to follow this instruction more closely from now on. It is worth the read, I believe, so I'm reproducing it here:
"Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. that is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. there is an element of mystery in this transaction: you give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience - at times, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity." (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)
I pray that the attitude of thanksgiving that we experience during this season may extend to the rest of our lives, and that we may have the ability, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, the Divine Counselor and Comforter, to obey the command and always offer our gratitude to the Lord regardless of our feelings or our situations. May we all receive the blessing of peace as we lift up our hands in praise, for He is Good, and His Love endures forever. In the Precious Name of Jesus, Our Hope, Our Salvation, Our Rock, Our Deliverer. Amen.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalm 89: 15
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. Psalm 118: 1
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