Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
It's the word all that gets me. I can honestly be thankful in some circumstances. Even in most circumstances. But it's the all that sticks me. Can I be thankful?
Am I willing to be thankful?
Then there is the preposition. In this verse it is in.
As in - in every situation I find myself in.
Out of gas, on a deserted road, in the dark. Loss of a loved one. A friendship gone south. Financial change causing undo stress.
Can I really be thankful in?
And give thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 NLT
This verse is verse similar and it even is written by the same pen - Paul's. But, there is one slight variation making it a much more complicated task.
For.
Yes, read it again. We are to give thanks for everything.
Giving thanks for cancer? For an almost 5 year affliction? A wayward child who has dragged the family through the mud, and then some? An untimely layoff? A miscarriage after so many dreams?
How can we give thanks for everything?
The only way I have found it possible is through Christ. By stepping into faith and proclaiming thanks as an act of obedience because my emotions are not caught up to my head.
For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT
When it became apparent my feet injury was beyond a typical 6-8 week healing window, I had a choice.
I could have become angry, bitter, frustrated. Or I could have given thanks to God for helping me in the affliction and for the affliction. I could have recognized His presence in my life even in the trial, knowing when I acknowledged the affliction coming from His hand and thanking Him for entrusting me, I could say thank You for this, because I was stepping out in faith believing He would lead, go before and help me every step of the way.
Was it easy? Not in the slightest.
It was a constant battle because having one's life turned upside down is extremely difficult. And seeing limitations loom ahead and life pass by made it difficult to accept my one year in my room, my 3+ years in my chair in my room, so many events I was not able to do.
Thanking God for everything is what a living sacrifice does. At any point I could have climbed down the altar, but I did not.
Call me crazy, but I knew God's plan included suffering and this suffering was handpicked by God for me. My loving heavenly Father chose to have me walk (or hobble, as the case was), through the valley because He knew what I needed, what was best for me and what would grow me into more of a daughter in the image of His Son.
How did I do it? Honestly, I am not able to recall, exactly. But it was one step at a time. Some of those steps were miniscule. Some were very spaced apart. And some were even at a watering hole for a while (okay, a long while).
Many uttered words of thanksgiving were done in tears, on my face, in anguish. Many were cried out in despair; others were ones of acceptance.
What about you? Can you, in all transparency before God, give Him thanks for your circumstances?
Needing a little help? Let God know you are struggling; He is a kind and gracious God. He will give you the strength, grace and love you need to say thanks for.
Why not start now?
Prayer
Father, I do acknowledge You as holy, good, righteous and kind. I also acknowledge the very real fact of Your desire that I give thanks not only in my circumstances, but for. This is not easy. It hurts. It's complicated and I honestly am struggling. But. I lay my life at Your feet and give thanks. For. In. Amen. And amen.
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