Give Thanks for ALL Things?
Can I give thanks for -
God’s correction in my life?
The personal hurts that have made me stronger?
God’s forgiveness when I have sinned?
My poor health?
Fiery trials?
Uncertain finances?
The rebuke of the Spirit?
The times I’ve needed to repent?
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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5 comments:
This might sound strange but I can honestly say I'm thankful for the miscarriage I had 12 years ago. It almost ended our marriage and my husband almost drank himself to death but it turned our lives upside down and shook them well. That was exactly what we needed and I thank God He was there to guide us through to the other side where, eventually, we came to Him on our knees.
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Lisa
Wow!
Well, early on I realized it was futile to continue to wish for my baby back - it wasn't going to happen.
I came to believe that God never meant for that baby to be born - that the dear one would serve some other, higher purpose.
Though we certainly didn't deserve it, a couple of years later He blessed us with our daughter.
It seems to me the Lord was calling us both for years. We didn't listen. Maybe finally He had to resort to extreme measures that would finally get our attention and leave us calling out to Him. I don't know. That's just the way it seems.
And speaking of giving thanks...
When our daughter was 5, we lost another to miscarriage. At the time that one would have been born, I went into a depression.
We were invited to my sister's birthday party. I really wanted to be home with my husband, daughter and little baby - the baby that would never be born. I sort of moped through the afternoon until my brother and his wife announced they were "expecting" - again.
I cried out inside to God - 'it's not fair! I would stay home with mine! I would teach mine about You!' (They are atheists.)
At the table, my niece said to my daughter, 'I feel sorry for you because you're the only one of the cousins without any siblings.'
This was turning into a tragi-comedy. Finally we could politely leave.
Out at the car I again cried out to God, 'I'm so sorry for feeling this way! I know You don't like this sort of attitude but I can't come out of it without your help!'
As we went down the road I felt God urging me to count my blessings. Beginning with the little girl in the back seat I began to count and by the time we got home and I was still counting - the depression was lifted and I had one more thing to be thankful for.
Counting our blessings - the antidote to depression and self absorption. One may need help from the Good Lord to get started - but as disciples of Christ we ought to get in the habit of it.
Our greatest blessing is, of course, our salvation given to us by Jesus. He is our greatest blessing and He gives us so much - even a lot that doesn't at first look like a blessing.
If we trust that He makes all things work for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose - we can rest in that no matter what happens.
But, Rick, you already know all that.
Happy Thanksgiving - every day.
Every day is happy thanks-giving.
Lisa
Thanks Lisa for sharing. I've been there, done that. And it seems when I asked God why does it always happen to us, and "they" get rained with blessing after blessing after blessing, some person, voice, relative would pour salt in the wound with some remark. I just have to laugh that it's no coincidence that this happens all at the same time. Yet, after these events, I would receive clear answers and understanding, thank the Lord. He is faithful.
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