In Everything Give Thanks

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I have been reflecting on all things for which I am thankful. There is much for which to be thankful. God has been so good.

In the midst of a heart filled with thanksgiving, I am mindful of those who are going through very difficult times during this season. There have been deaths and illnesses, which have been challenging at best and debilitating at worst.

I am reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, “…in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Essentially, no matter what is going on in our lives, we should always have an attitude of gratitude towards our loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for our lives.

I am always encouraged by the testimony of the saints. Stories like that of Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, who thanked God for the infestation of fleas in the barracks of the concentration camp in which they were imprisoned. After giving reluctant thanks to God in light of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, they discovered that they were able to have Bible Study, prayer and times of solitude in their barrack because the guards choose not to enter due to the fleas.

Writer Barbara Johnson tells of another story: “The day had not started out well for a certain woman. She had overslept and was late for work. Then some things happened at the office that only contributed to her harried condition. By the time she reached the bus stop for her trip home, her stomach was tied in an intricate knot.

As usual, the bus was late and packed, and she had to stand up. The bus started, stopped, turned left, then right, pushing and pulling her in all directions. The day wasn't improving even as it came to an end.

Then she heard a man's voice up front proclaim, ‘Beautiful day, isn't it?’ Because of the crowd she couldn't see the man, but he continued to comment on everything the bus passed that added to his joy: a church here, an ice cream store there, a baseball diamond here, a library there. The atmosphere in the bus grew immediately more carefree as did the woman's heart. The man's enthusiasm was so winsome, the woman found herself smiling.

When the bus reached the woman's stop, she worked her way through the crowd to the door. As she did so, she glanced at the "tour guide"—a plump man, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a white cane. He was blind.

As she stepped off the bus, she realized the day's tensions had disappeared. God had sent a blind man to help her see that, though things go wrong sometimes, it's still a beautiful world.”

You know, sometimes, there is none so blind than those who refuse to see.

Regardless of the circumstances of your life, be open to giving thanks to God so that He will allow you to see what He has in store for you.

Wait upon Him with a hopeful, expectant and grateful heart.

Something to think about…