GIVING THANKS FOR ALL THINGS

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (Ephesians 5:20)

Thursday will be Thanksgiving Day here in America.  Although our society has degraded the holiday by focusing solely on turkey and football, Christians try to keep the true spirit of this holiday alive.  In numerous passages, the Bible instructs us to give thanks for our blessings.

The text I am using has a clause that needs our attention.  Paul wrote, "Giving thanks ALWAYS for ALL things..." (emphasis added).  I can't speak on your behalf, but I must confess that I have failed miserably at keeping this command.  Sure, I give thanks... but ALWAYS and for ALL things? 

I have to admit that there have been times I haven't given thanks.  I have gone through experiences that I never thanked God for.  In hindsight, I should have. 

Quite honestly, it is difficult to be thankful for heartache, tragedy, sorrow and pain.  Life is full of disappointments, setbacks and grief.  During such events, we tend to pray, "Lord, help me!"  Sadly, we rarely give Him thanks during our adversity...only when the adversity passes.

It is hard to give thanks during the most difficult of times.  When your heart is aching, it is tough to thank Him for the pain.  To be rather candid, there are many things we endure that aren't good.  It is easy to quote Romans 8:28 when everything is going fine, but it is more difficult to cling to that verse when everything is falling apart.  Romans 8:28 does NOT say that all things are good.  Instead, it says that all things work TOGETHER for good ... and even then, for a special group of people.

So how can we give the Lord thanks ALWAYS for ALL things?  Here are just a few thoughts I want to share with you.

1.  GIVE HIM THANKS THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE TRIALS

Notice how I phrase this:  Give Him thanks that we are going THROUGH the trials.  We are going through.  We've not been stopped.  Israel saw the Red Sea as an impossibility to cross.  Yet God led them THROUGH the Red Sea while Egypt's army drowned in the Red Sea.  We are going through trials, not under them.

2.  GIVE HIM THANKS THAT HE IS NEAR IN THE TRIALS

As followers of Jesus, we are not alone as we endure pain, heartache and sorrow.  God is with us through it all.  Even when we face the valley of the shadow of death, David wrote, "I will fear no evil; for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4). 

3. GIVE HIM THANKS FOR THE HELP WE RECEIVE

Often we receive help as we struggle through trials.  Many times God sends people to brighten our day, provide tangible help or pray for us.  Whether the aid seems great or small, we should give thanks for all the help God sends our way. 

4. GIVE HIM THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE HIM

Our painful experiences are opportunities to demonstrate our faith, love and devotion to Christ.  Some suffering saints are given the unique opportunity to minister to others who are suffering just as they are.  When we suffer adversity, our faith is put to the test.  Unbelievers watch our lives as we endure hardship.  They notice whether we respond properly or not.  Trials give us an opportunity for us to glorify God with more sincerity and dependence.

5.  GIVE HIM THANKS THAT TRIALS ARE TEMPORARY

The trials we face are only for a short time.  Even if we face death, even it is temporary.  Soon our trials will be over.  Before long, we'll be in heaven where pain, tears, and heartaches will never come.

I need to practice the very things I've just written.  Sure, we should give thanks on Thanksgiving, but we should also give Him thanks when we are suffering, receiving unexpected bills, or facing disappointment.

Let us practice Paul's command by giving thanks, "always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."