God is worthy of unabated thanksgiving and praise. But sometimes we are grateful, and other times not so much.
When things are going well, and the north, south, east, and west winds of our lives are calm, we feel blessed and thankful. But when things go awry or not according to our liking or plans, gratefulness takes a back seat to grumbling and a preoccupation with ‘why me.’
Often, we manage to arrive at gratefulness by conceding that things or conditions could be worse. I’ve taken this perspective too. And it is true; things always can be worse than what they are.
Whether things are bad, worse, or worst is dependent on the perspective of the problem bearer. Is it really about the problem or us? Can we become better about being grateful regardless of the prevailing winds and circumstances?
God is bigger than any and every problem affirms our attitude should be gratitude.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV), the Apostle Paul encourages, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
The first three words in the verse, “in every thing,” give no options to opt-out of gratitude. There’s no excuse revealed or hidden in or under the earth, sun, or sea for anyone to be ungrateful. And it suffices to say that it is the will of God that we should be grateful in every situation and occasion. Being thankful is God’s will for us as believers who live by faith in Him.
Being grateful concerns everyone. Being grateful is a charge for all.
How is day-to-day gratefulness possible? Why should we live in thanksgiving?
God commands us to be obediently grateful.
We find comfort and support during adversity and troubles because God is a very present help. Nothing should weigh or hinder thanksgiving. Although conditions could be worse, knowing that God is with us and has not left us is a good reason to be thankful.
Through prayer and supplication, we can make known our needs and desires. God knows, but he never tires of hearing our prayers and our gratitude. He is our heavenly father; He loves us and knows what’s best for us.
Believing that things don’t happen to us but for us is another reason to be grateful. But knowing the difference between ‘happening to’ and ‘happening for’ requires spiritual growth and maturity in our faith walk.
Christians have reasons to be thankful in all things and circumstances. It’s easy to be grateful when we believe everything works for our good, for this God declares. Romans 8: 28 (KJV) states, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
If we don’t have the job we want, thank God we have a job. If we don’t win the marathon, we can be grateful we finished the race. After working hard for something not obtained or achieved, we can thank God for the experience and try again.
But we’re not only grateful for God’s provisions but also for his sovereignty over our resources. We thank Him for righteous judgment when our needs are met but wants are delayed or denied.
If God is good all the time, thanksgiving can’t be conditional or dictated by circumstances.
I’ll leave you with this beautiful verse, Hebrews 13:15 (KJV).
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Be safe.