Devotions: Give Thanks In Everything

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!