One our family traditions as we gather around the Thanksgiving table is to take turns sharing what we are thankful for, and this year when it was my turn, I think my statement shocked those who heard it.
I could have talked about hundreds of things for which I’m very grateful, but as everyone else was sharing their thoughts, I pondered what was true about this past year that helped me to grow and become the person God has called me to be.
Then it came to me as if the idea came from outside of me – rushing toward me and stopping just right in front of my nose. Looking back on it, I realize that it was probably God revealing it to me.
Here’s what I said…
“I’m thankful that everything wasn’t easy this past year.”
As I paused before trying to explain what that means, every head turned and looked at me, mostly with puzzled looks on their faces. It was as if I hadn’t understood the exercise and had messed it up. The other comments people made are all true and I wouldn’t disagree with anything that was said. I, too, am thankful for family, friends, God’s protection, health, etc.
But what I said challenged the thinking of everyone present.
Becoming the People God Created Us to Be
I explained to this group of about 20 people that it was through the challenges, difficulties, heartaches and desperate moments that we grow the most and mature into the people God has envisioned us to be.
It’s easy to be thankful for wonderful things that make your heart sing. But the challenge is to thank God when things aren’t going smoothly. It requires making an intentional choice to be thankful regardless of the circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV) says,
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
In order to choose thankfulness and enter into joy, it is necessary to take these two steps: (1) living in a continual conversation with God in prayer, and (2) giving thanks in all circumstances. This is what God wants from His people – this verse would call that “God’s Will.”
Praying Continually
When people hear this verse, they often scoff, saying, “I don’t have time to stop and pray all the time, I’ve got things to do!” I would agree with that statement – you DON'T have time to STOP… that’s why you’ve got to pray while you are doing just about everything you do. This means that you pray with your eyes open (especially when you are driving). It means that you get comfortable with short prayers like, “Jesus, Help!” It may mean that you ask the question of your friends and others – “Can we stop and pray together for that really quick?”
It may mean that when you do certain tasks, you commit yourself to pray for someone or something consistently. For example, when I brush and floss my teeth before I go to bed, I pray for my dentist and his family. When I drive, I normally pray for whoever I am going to meet on the other end of the trip across town.
Give Thanks in All Circumstances
When things go sideways in your life, it will require a conscious choice to enter into thanksgiving. It’s usually the time you are tempted to say bad words, sigh deeply, grunt and groan or ask, “Why me?” … that’s the time to choose to be thankful.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) the Apostle Paul quotes Jesus,
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
It is when we are most dependent upon God that He gets the glory, and as a result, we grow closer to becoming the person God created us to be.
Romans 5:3–4 (NIV84)
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
I believe that we are Overcomers and Victors in all things through Jesus. This means that we are never to be found as victims, living in a victim mindset of holding offenses, wishing for revenge, hating our enemies, and feeling sorry for ourselves. An Overcomer mindset can still exist in us as we are suffering in this life.
Some people deny a place in their walk with Jesus for suffering because they equate a suffering experience with a victim mindset. However, we will experience pain and suffering in this world, on this side of heaven. Anyone telling you any different is trying to sell you something that is not true. Jesus, the embodiment of Truth says in John 16:33 (NIV84),
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus is telling us that we will have trouble, but we don’t have to be afraid because the Holy Spirit inside us is greater than any power or problem we face (1 John 4:4). He is inviting us to walk in the fullness of His peace (the blessing of wholeness in every aspect of life).
Paul tells us that he wants to share in the suffering of Jesus, and even laying down his life like Jesus did. Philippians 3:10–11 (NIV84):
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
When I think about giving thanks in my difficult circumstances, I realize the importance of taking the long view of time and the high view of God’s sovereignty.
A Long View of Time
As a Jesus follower, this world is not my home. I am a citizen of heaven, and until I get there, suffering will be a part of my story. Looking at my circumstances in light of eternity, most of my difficulties shrink. Sometimes I ask myself the question, "Will anyone even care about this 50 years from now?"
The apostle Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
When we walk through difficult days well, there will be rewards for us in heaven. In comparison with our eternity in heaven, these are “momentary troubles.”
A High View of God’s Sovereignty
God is the King over all things. He is in control. Nothing happens that He doesn’t allow to happen. This doesn’t mean that He causes painful things to happen, but He doesn’t prevent every negative thing from occurring. While this can be confusing for us to understand why God doesn’t intervene in every circumstance, the truth is that nothing happens out of His sight. He will most certainly allow you to go through more than you can handle on your own so that you will learn to seek Him, trust Him, walk with Him, and grow into the person he created you to be.
I can give thanks in all circumstances, because I know that God is always working for my good (Rom. 8:28). I know that what the enemy of my soul meant for evil, God will turn it around for my good.
I choose to thank God when I realize he is often allowing me to be disappointed because what I wanted would not be good. Sometimes the Lord allows things to fall apart because He is protecting us from something or someone. There have been times that I have been frustrated about being late for something only to realize that if I would have been just a few minutes earlier on the road, I would have been caught up in a terrible car accident.
The Giver of Good and Perfect Gifts
Giving thanks is easier when you see God as your constant protector and provider. He is the giver of the good and perfect gifts. So when you don’t get what you want or feel that you deserve, you can be at peace knowing your good God is watching out for you.
So, let’s step into thanks-giving, believing our good, Good Father has us safely in His hands. Let’s embrace suffering as the Lord’s most important development tool in our life.
I look forward to seeing you next Sunday at our Worship Service in the Dome at 10:00 a.m.
You can also live stream our service on Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 a.m.
If you missed last week's message, "The Big Picture #12- The Letters" click here.
