Gratitude For All Things (I)

The admonition to give thanks in all circumstances generally aligns well with our sensibility because we reason that things could have been worse (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Thus, we find something to be thankful for, even when things go bad.

But today’s scripture takes us to another level of trust in God by asking us to give God thanks FOR all things. Giving thanks for all things is showing appreciation to God in spite of whatever happens, whether good or bad. It is thanking God when there is no silver lining in the dark clouds and appreciating Him for allowing whatever happened to us. That is tough for the human mind because it means we must be thankful, even for our unpleasant moments.

There are two important reasons why giving “thanks always for all things unto God” should make sense to a true believer. First, thanking God, even for bad things means you are trusting God to take over and take care of things. This mindset made Abraham give glory and thanks to God while his body was dead (Romans 4:20). Sarah also judged God faithful when nothing worked for her (Hebrews 11:11).

A brother once asked for prayers because his elder sister and younger brother were quarrelling. Their parents had died when they were young and the three had grown up together, sharing a very close bond. I led him in prayer, giving thanks to God for the situation. We told God that we did not know why He permitted it but trust Him completely to sort things out. Within twenty-four hours, the quarrelling siblings forgave one another and reconciled.