In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
What does it really mean when the bible says, ‘In everything give thanks’? Many would ask the question, ‘How do we give thanks in everything’? Does everything also include the bad things that we experience? Let’s take a closer look at this scripture.
It is easy when everything is going well for us to offer thanksgiving to the Lord. But how do we react or what is our attitude when things are not going the way we would like? In all honesty, when things are not working the way, we would like or did not turn out the way we anticipated, we become upset, angry and sometimes we want to or do take matters in our own hands. Some even get angry with God and may even blame Him. Giving thanks is usually not the first words from our lips.
Let’s look at the life of Job. Scripture says Job was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Wow! One would think that with these character traits God will protect Job and nothing bad would happen to him, which indeed was the case. In a conversation with God. Satan said to God; Job has good reason to fear Him. “You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
God gave Satan permission to test Job and Job lost everything. The amazing part about all of this is Job’s response. Let’s look at Job 1:20-22, Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job was grieved, but he worshipped God. Job realized all that he had, came from God and now that he lost it all, he still chose to praise the name of the Lord. Job was grateful for what he had; even though he lost it all. Job acknowledged God’s sovereign authority over everything God had given him.
Can we find it within ourselves to give thanks when things do not work out the way we would like? When something happens or does not happen, let’s give God thanks. The scripture continues by saying, it is the will of God concerning us. God wants us to give thanks at all times, whether things are good or bad. As we are coming to the end of 2024, let’s give thanks to God, whether we gained or we lost some things or people, for this God’s will. Give thanks!
Komentarze