Give Thanks in Everything?

It was a meeting of a very exclusive club: two doctors, two nurses, a freelance journalist and a missionary. Six American survivors of Ebola met for the first time as a group on the Wednesday “Today” Show. They all described how thankful they were for a second chance at life, time spent with family and friends, joyful anticipation of the upcoming holidays and the outpouring of care and encouragement they have received from so many well-wishers.

It's easy for us to understand how these survivors can be extremely thankful as the holidays approach. But what do you do when your circumstances are not happy, when you have suffered an irretrievable loss, are facing difficult financial problems, suffering with physical illness or struggling with broken relationships? The approaching holidays may only magnify your sadness and feelings of isolation or alienation. How do you cope when everyone around you is joyful and you aren't?

It sounds counterintuitive, but the apostle Paul gives us the answer in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This isn’t a suggestion, but a command. Abba God literally wants us to be thankful in every situation we find ourselves in.

You may be thinking, “That's totally unreasonable! How in the world can I be thankful when I'm suffering and everything around me is falling apart?” While it may sound like God is rubbing salt in your wounds and being completely oblivious to what you're going through, nothing could be further from the truth.

Abba God understands that we are human. We get hurt, lose hope and suffer grief when loss and adversity strike. But He also knows how gratitude will help us and how we need it most when we are in painful circumstances. Consider for a moment: What do you gain by focusing on your grief and pain, getting angry at God and isolating yourself from Him? While that may be what you feel like doing, is it really helping you?

Abba God is not commanding us to thank Him for adversity and pain that come from evil, but He does want us to remember that He is with us and that we are not alone. When we thank Him in every situation, we magnify His presence in our lives. Our gratitude keeps us focused on Him rather than on our problems and pain. As He gets larger in our consciousness, our circumstances become smaller and less overwhelming. We are able to remember His promise that when we are called according to His purpose, He will make all things work together for our good—no matter how negative they may seem (Romans 8:28).

Gratitude keeps our hearts open to receive His blessings of strength, peace, provision and protection that are always available to us (Isaiah 40:27-31). So, if you are struggling with difficult circumstances this holiday season, look to Abba God and thank Him in the middle of everything. Whether you feel like it or not, decide to join with the psalmist in saying, “O give thanks unto the Lord for His loving-kindness endures forever!” (Psalm 136). As you do, see if He doesn't change your anxiety to peace and turn your mourning to dancing!

We invite you to join us this Sunday at one of our two morning services: 9:30 AM or 11:30 AM. My sermon is “Thanksgiving Triple Play,” and I will be discussing three important things we can thank God for.