Thankfulness

It is probably not news to you that life has no shortage of tribulations. I personally know of many who are currently undergoing severe trials of physical health, broken relationships, and troubled finances. I’ve also searched the Word and discovered it's difficult to find anyone noted for holiness and wisdom that enjoyed a life of privilege, ease, and comfort, as we define them. And yet, a spirit of thankfulness is an attribute the Bible reveals as one of the most pleasing to God. What is the crux of his intention when the Lord says, “in all things give thanks”—1 Thess. 5:18. Why does God require thankfulness from people who suffer? Is God just insensitive and full of himself? Can it be as simple an issue as the old song suggests, Don’t Worry, Be Happy? I tend to think not.

What may be news to you is that God is not so much interested in delivering us from our tribulations as he is producing in us the wisdom and strength to endure them. There is nothing on earth more powerful than having true peace in times of trial and trouble. But admittedly, it is hard to slide over into thankfulness when you are in the midst of suffering. In fact it is a fistfight to achieve—not that I know. I fight the battle on a minute-to-minute basis. I don’t want to give thanks when my heart and mind are not thankful. From scripture, and from personal experience, it seems to me that God is immeasurably concerned about the end product of our lives. How much do I desire wisdom and strength over ease and comfort? I honestly cannot tell sometimes. But the good thing is the ball is not entirely in our court, so to speak.

God is fully aware of the difficulty in rising above our circumstances and sends us the Helper. The Spirit of God searches the earth for the spirit of thankfulness within us and pours his strength over those who feebly attempt to give thanks through their trial. In other words, the Spirit takes over where our effort fails and gives us the push we need to get over the rise in the road. Suddenly, and miraculously, peace and strength appear where there once was only fear and hopelessness. Then, as if peace and strength weren’t enough, our eyes open to the world turning around us and to people who suffer beyond their ability to rise up.

Thanksgiving here in SoCal is about over-eating, dieting, beating traffic, social networking, presentation, football, drama, melodrama, and getting an early jump on Christmas shopping. But somehow, giving thanks to God in our weaknesses enables us to gain the things that cannot be seen with the eyes, touched by the flesh, or purchased with the card.