In
everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians
5:18
New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
How often is gratitude
our default response? When times are good and we have nothing of which to complain
it is easy enough, but when times are hard? One look at social media shows that
we are quickly becoming a society of complainers and grumblers. And even though
we are the wealthiest, most blessed society of the world, still we complain. Yet we
know nothing of true suffering as most of the world population. This tendency
to complain comes from a self-centered, greedy nature. We want what we want
when we want it. But this is not a godly perspective or desire to have. Rather than
complaining about every little thing that doesn’t go exactly according to plan,
we should give thanks in everything. Really? Give thanks when I get a flat
tire, or when someone messes up my order, or when my coffee spills down my
front? Yes. We are to complain about nothing because complaining shows that we
are discontent with what we have, yet everything good is a gift from God, and
He is in control of our lives, watching over our every step. Complaining shows
that we are not content with God and what He has given us. That does not mean
that we should give thanks for the
bad things, but in the midst of them we should still thank God. The previous
two verses say to pray continually and rejoice always. These are God’s will for
us, to live in prayer, praise and gratefulness. God knows what we are going
through, but if we are focused on Him, praying for His help, praising Him for
His goodness and thanking Him for His many provisions etc., the troubles will
not seem so bad and it will be a great witness to those around us. It is natural
to complain, so when we instead choose to praise God and be thankful it shows
that there is something different about us, that there is more to being a
Christian than going to church. It shows that we have a God we can trust in and
out. We should count our blessings and be continually thankful year round, not
just in November. If you have trouble being grateful, thankful, and trusting
God, is the God in whom you believe worthy of that? Do you instead believe in a
God of your own making rather than the Almighty Creator and Provider of the
Universe? Take some time to consider if you have somehow made God smaller, into
something you want rather than Who He really is. Study God’s character as shown
in the Bible. Believe in a God worth trusting, praising and thanking. Be a
person of gratitude!
Praise the Lord! Amen!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, straight from the Scriptures.
A heart of gratitude in ALL THINGS certainly brings with it a joy that only Christ Himself pours out upon us.
The world needs to see Christ, and walking through the circumstances of life giving praise, glory and thanks to God may have a lasting impact on the heart of a lost soul.
Thank you for sharing your beauty with us~