Be Thankful
In a hymn by Joe E. Parks he wrote the following:
“One day the angels announced with joy from heaven the birth of One who could bring good will to men. And there were those who rejoiced at His appearing, but others scoffed and continued in their sin! He taught that faith is the key to life eternal, 'twould open doors to a new and endless life. That men should walk here in love with one another, instead of walking a road of endless strife! But men to day still reject the loving savior; they tread a path to a lost eternity. They turn away from the beckoning hands of Jesus - the only One who has power to set them free! It was an ungrateful world that led the savior to give His life on an old rugged cross. It's true, He came from on high for sinners lost to die and all because of an ungrateful world.”
What a terrible thought, but so very true! God sent His only Son to the world to die for man's sins, as mentioned in John 3:16, and yet men still reject Him by their disobedience.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
God has given us everything we have and everything we ever can hope to have. John 1:3-4 reads “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
It is easy to be thankful when things are going well; when you're healthy, have a good job, a decent car, a nice house, but what about when trials arise in our lives? When Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians, the Church was being physically persecuted. Yet, he says “In everything give thanks...” No matter what happens, the Lord will see us through, if we are true to Him.
James wrote in James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
The trials we face in our lives are not pleasant at the time, but if we keep the Lord first in our lives, trust in Him, and obey Him, He will see us through and we will come out stronger and better prepared for the next trial.
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Let us strive to be more thankful in our everyday lives. The next time you want to complain about some trivial matter, stop, think, and ask yourself, “is this really that bad, or could some good come out of it?”
Is it really worth getting upset over?
It seems we have come to a point where we think we have to have everything just exactly our way. Rather than trying to change our circumstances to suit ourselves, let's change ourselves in such a way as to be more content with our circumstances, and to make the best of the situation at hand.
Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
