Dear Friend,
Like the weather, life has different seasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 describes the seasons of life in detail, and to categorize them in human terms, we have good and bad seasons. We tend to define good seasons when good situations happen and bad situations for bad seasons. Regardless of the weather, we still need to give thanks in everything.
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV (Emphasis added)
How do we give thanks in everything? Everything covers both good and bad, big and little. Yes, it can be easy for us to give thanks for good things, but it can be difficult to naturally always give thanks for them, let alone the bad things. Humans generally tend to murmur, which is the opposite of giving thanks. Complaining is being ungrateful. Ungrateful to Who? To God. And I’m guilty of this. Because my sinful nature is prone to be ungrateful, God commanded that I must give thanks in everything.
“… for this is the will of God …”
It’s His will that I should be grateful. Do you know what’s hard in giving thanks? Giving thanks from my heart. That is true It’s His will that I should be grateful. Do you know what’s hard in giving thanks? Giving thanks from my heart. That is true thanksgiving.
To truly give thanks to Christ means –
- I’m trusting Him wholly,
- I believe that God is Who He is,
- I’m surrendered to Him,
- And I’m submitted to His will.
Whereas complaining shows that –
- I’m doubting Him,
- I don’t believe that God is Who He is,
- I’m not surrendered to Him,
- And I’m not submitted to His will.
Ouch. I feel bad from reading the last points. Choosing between giving thanks and murmuring is choosing between acknowledging God and letting unbelief rule my life. However, it is impossible for me to consistently choose the former because it’s against my sinful nature. But
“… in Christ Jesus …”
it is possible because He has freed me from sin. And because I am free, I can give thanks for His salvation, His faithfulness, His words, His grace, His mercies, His punishments, His blessings, my sorrows, my pain, my difficulties, and so on. It is possible because of Who He is instead of who I am and what my situations are. Dear friend, my prayer is that in all of your rain, sunshine, sweet moments, and broken messes, you will look to Jesus and give thanks.
Resulting in the fullness of joy and peace in Him no matter what circumstance I’m in. Then I’ll have two more things to be thankful for.
“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.”
Psalm 30:12 KJV
Very Sincerely Yours,
Clarissa Choo
P.S. If you have a paper and pen near you, write down each good and bad thing for this day and give thanks to Jesus regarding them. If you want to take a step further, write ten of His characteristics that you’re thankful for.
This article was also published in the private email magazine ministry, The Father’s Kingdom, and was originally published in this site.
P.P.S. Stay tuned for the next post – I have exciting news to share with you!
Clarissa Choo is a vessel used for Christ’s glory. Although she has lived in four countries, heaven is her only home. She desires to love Jesus and sow His seeds. Besides writing, she would be washing dishes, chopping ingredients into smithereens, and recording music. You can find her writing at TCKs for Christ and Light Unto Darkness.
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