Friday, November 15, 2013

A Day of Giving Thanks



In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18


Recommended Reading
Ephesians 5:18-20
As an experiment, consider giving God thanks "in everything" for a solid day. Give thanks, not repeating "Thank you, Lord" with every breath all day long, but in every event or occurrence. Every time something new happens -- phone call, flat tire, unexpected bill to pay, compliment, criticism, injury -- ask this question: "What is there in this situation or event that provides a reason to give thanks to God?"


Many people have misread 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It doesn't say "For everything give thanks," it says "In everything give thanks." There are many challenging things that happen in life for which we donĂ¢€™t naturally, even supernaturally, feel thankful. But when we consider that God is our Father, that He knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7), and that the days of our life are planned by Him ahead of time (Psalm 139:16) -- it stands to reason that there are no accidents with God. We know that God is able to use even the difficult things in life for our good (Romans 8:28), to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

If you have a hard time seeing a reason to thank Him for something that happens, do the next best thing: Ask Him to show you.

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
Ambrose