Are You Thankful for Suffering?

This time of year we often recount what we are thankful for. It is a time of counting our blessings and praising God for what He has done. It is a time of focusing on the good and hoping the bad is far to come. Yet often those who are the loudest at giving thanks now are also the loudest at grumbling about the bad. Is that how it should be? Does that reflect a truly grateful heart?

Ephesians 5:20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Wait, give thanks for all things? Even the bad things? How can that be? How can a person possibly be thankful for tragedy? At first glance that doesn’t even seem right, but that is what the verse says all the same. I don’t think this necessarily means that we are to be happy that we are experiencing tragedy, the loss of a child for example. No parent could possibly feel thankful for that, or happy that it happened. The grief is too great. Yet the verse says to always give thanks for all things. I believe this refers more to acknowledging God’s goodness and sovereignty and His plan, ability and will to turn everything out for our benefit.

Romans 8:28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

If we trust God, if we believe that He has our best interests in mind, we can hold fast to the promise that the horrible things we go through will somehow work out for our benefit. Undoubtedly, we won’t see that benefit at the beginning. It may take years before we recognize it, but we can trust and believe that it will happen, and that confident assurance will create in us a thankful heart. It creates a heart that is thankful for the work God is doing, for His goodness and love, for His control in the midst of chaos. It creates a heart aware of the big picture, of eternity.

Romans 8:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

I know in the midst of tragedy it is hard to see beyond the present, to even care about what will happen in eternity, but a heart that is focused on and trusting in God will eventually realize this truth. What happens now is nothing compared to what is to come. Yes the suffering is great, but the glory that is to come is far greater. The Greek word for glory has several possible meanings: judgment/view, opinion (a good one resulting in honor), splendor/majesty (God’s), “the glorious condition of blessedness… which all true Christians will enter.” In this context it is probably a combination of all four, but especially the last. We have the promise of entering that state which can never be taken away from us. It is the reward awaiting all who remain faithful. Keeping that in mind will change the attitude and posture of our hearts so that our “opinion or view” will be one of glory, honor and praise. It is with that attitude that we can begin to be thankful for all things, to count them all joy.

James 1:2-4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Again this is not the kind of joy that is happy or exuberant that we are going through hard times, but that quiet satisfaction and peace that God is good and He is in control. It is knowing that it will all work out in the end and that in the mean time what we endure is working to perfect us, to make us more like Christ.

That is true thankfulness. It is not ignoring the bad, but being thankful and joyful in spite of the bad. It is not counting blessings at Thanksgiving and complaining about everything the rest of the year. It is counting everything a blessing no matter what the time of year or circumstance. It isn’t looking back and hoping tomorrow is better, it is looking forward knowing that today will bring the best to come.

How is your heart? Does it thank God in everything? Do you count everything joy and blessing? Ask God to help you see His gold lining, to mold your heart and change your view to see the blessing and glory.