As we walk through life we encounter many trials. Maybe you’re facing hardships now.
When I was born again (saved), I though life would be smooth sailing from then on. That is how little I knew about being a Christian. Little did I know the battle was just beginning. Gratitude comes easy when things are going our way, but when things start to go south, what are we to do? So once again lets open God’s Word (the Bible) to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice forevermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.”
This includes both good and hard times.
Jesus did not promise an easy road. He said, “In this world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). When we don’t understand why God lets us go through suffering and trials, we might let our situation “quench” a grateful spirit.
Instead of rejoicing and praising God for all He has done for us, our focus is on our pain and confusion. We begin to doubt the Lord and his word.
But if we choose to be thankful in every situation, despite our feelings, we reap many benefits. Jesus desires that that we have a grateful spirit no matter our circumstances.
Even amid pain or hardships we can thank Him for our salvation, His presence and His work in our lives — “giving thanks always for all things unto God …” (Ephesians 5:20).
Thankfulness should be a way of life for us, naturally flowing from our hearts and mouths.
We can thank God for whatever He allows in our lives which is according to His will, knowing that He promises that all things will work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).
We may not see the good immediately or in our lifetime, but in Heaven it will all make sense. Gratitude in everything keeps us continually aware that we are walking in His presence, which contributes to a holy life. As believers we will “never walk alone” because the Holy Spirit lives within us. He said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). So we know our all-knowing, all-powerful God is walking through it with us.
Gratitude also helps us to look at the Lord’s purpose in everything that happens. Whether we understand or not, we can rely on His trustworthiness.
Have you ever thought that being thankful brings us into submission to His will during suffering?
In the middle of pain we may not feel grateful, but this is exactly the time when we should express it verbally.
When we continue to thank Him, eventually our feelings will begin to match our words. God knows our hearts and honors our obedience. Being thankful reminds us of our dependence on the Lord. We are all dependent on God for every breath we take and every beat of our heart. Trials show us our weaknesses and draw us to the Lord Jesus.
A mature Christian lives every day in complete dependence on Christ Jesus. Gratitude helps us trust God when we don’t understand why. God hasn’t promised to explain why we go through pain or heartache, but he has promised to be with us and enable us to face it.
Thanksgiving reminds us that we don’t have to understand but to have faith that He will bring us through. Being thankful replaces anxiety with peace; it is then that our anxieties crumble.
This peace is only available to those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as savior and lord. We must see our sin, call out to God to forgive us on the basis of what Jesus did on the cross, and trust in Christ alone as our only hope of eternal life.
The Lord Jesus is holding out His arms to receive you this very moment. The choice is up to you, friend; take His hand, He won’t cast you out (John 6:37).
Lance Stevens pastors at Huntsville Evangelical Community Church in Pendleton. He and his wife, Judy, are formerly of Greenfield. This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to dr-editorial@greenfield reporter.com.
