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23rd July 2024
TuesdayReflection
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Sarah Holliday offers
reporter for The Washington Stand
'How Can We 'Give Thanks in All Circumstances'?
We Remember How Blessed We Are in Christ
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In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Apostle Paul wrote,
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
It's a clear call.
It seems easy enough to live out, right?
And yet, I can't help but wonder: how easy is it, really, to "give thanks in all circumstances"?
Because I've come to find it's far easier to be ungrateful.
It probably doesn't feel easy to give thanks when you or someone you love is struck with illness.
Gratitude isn't often where we turn first when we're rejected from a job we want or by a person we care about.
Thankfulness feels impossible when we face loneliness, anxiety, depression, or stress, doesn't it?
Perhaps the poor wrestle with thankfulness, and the wealthy seldom consider it.
Wars break out across the globe, people are starving, children are orphaned, women are widowed, politics are like cancer, and the world is full of numerous other variables that cause us to think: What is there to be grateful for?
I've read the stories where people are so sick of their affliction, they "walk away from their faith."
Many blame their problems on God; others are tired of waiting on Him to reveal a reason for their suffering.
It's a tragedy - an utter tragedy.
And why is it so tragic?
Because, really, believers have so much to be grateful for.
It's a shame how easily we gloss over our rich blessedness in Christ, and it's my prayer that we can begin to understand just how blessed we really are.
Especially when we think we have nothing to be thankful for.
Isaiah 53:5 proclaims,
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
It's a rich passage, yet it's easy to neglect the proper probing it deserves.
He was "pierced," "crushed," yet we receive "peace" and become "healed."
Just how profound this is may be what we forget to reflect on.
Whether it's realized or not, the worst fate one could ever endure would be to be separated from Jesus.
Salvation is such a precious gift, and I'm afraid we often take it lightly.
Because without it, we have no life, hope, peace, joy, or eternity in paradise.
Life would become meaningless.
All would be deprived of hope.
Peace would be replaced with fear, and joy with depression.
Our eternity, separate from Christ, would be spent in the fiery furnace.
Well, Hebrews 12:2 says: We look to
"Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
And what was that joy set before Him?
It was the perfect will of a perfect, loving God.
When I think of this blessing, even just the singular blessing of being alive in Christ from now into eternity, my soul swells in praise.
And so, do you see?
We can "give thanks in all circumstances" because there is not a single circumstance in which this truth is not relevant.
Does He not still provide our every need?
Is He not faithful to be with us when we stumble?
Does He not cause rain so that the earth is nourished?
He has graciously crafted beauty all around in His creation for us to enjoy.
I encourage you to remember that God, whether we always recognize it, is truly generous and rich in both grace and mercy.
And He has in mind the eternal salvation of our soul - which is far grander than anything we'll experience here on earth.
So, let us posture our hearts in continual gratitude, for our God is continuously loving, merciful, and gracious - a God who has secured our salvation forever.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'The Washington Stand'
is Family Research Council's outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview.
The Washington Stand is based in Washington, D.C. and is published by FRC, whose mission is to advance faith, family, and freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview.
But politics, culture, and thought leaders cannot change the truth found in the word of God.
That's why TWS was launched as Family Research Council's outlet for factual, well-sourced news and commentary grounded in a biblical worldview.
Based in Washington, D.C., FRC is committed to advancing faith, family, and freedom in public policy and the culture.
Sarah Holliday serves as a reporter for The Washington Stand.
She earned her undergrad from Boise State University in Creative Writing and Narrative Arts, as well as a Certificate in Arts and Theology from Reformation Bible College.
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