In Everything Give Thanks

Watching the development of my four-year old granddaughter is truly a blessing, seeing her responding to her parents instilling basic values such as saying “Thank you.” I’m impressed that at mealtime she is encouraged to say what she’s thankful for as part of saying “grace.” Sometimes we have to stifle a chuckle at some of the things she mentions.

You probably have similar stories in your family. The perplexing thing is why this early training seems to wane over time. The words thanksgiving and thanks occur in approximately 100 Bible verses and we are told to give thanks 73 times. Is this possibly because we need to be reminded?

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV)

Many people today seem not to be thankful. They get wrapped up in grumbling and complaining about what is wrong in their lives. Sometimes the sense of entitlement permeates their perspective. They, like all of us, forget the simple principle of being thankful in all things, like “stuffies” and broccoli at mealtimes.

Paul didn’t say to be thankful for all things but to be thankful in all things. While we sometimes see the good that can accompany bad things, we are instructed to be thankful even when circumstances might seem to dictate otherwise. 

The phrase that grips me is “for this is the will of God” for us. Don’t stop giving thanks regardless of what you are going through or what is happening in your life. Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts.  This is the day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it. Always!