(I Thessalonians 5:18)
When do we give thanks?
Perhaps when we receive a wanted answer to our prayers? When we sit down to eat? When something good crosses our path? When our finances are blessed?
When SHOULD we give thanks?
According to the Monday Measure for this week, we should be giving thanks over EVERYTHING. What?? So that means I should be giving thanks when a false rumor gets back to me? Or when we have a hard time making financial ends meet? When my children seem to be testing every button at the same time? How about when I get a flat tire unexpectedly? Well my friends, all of those things are covered in the words God used here: EVERY THING.
Our thoughts are not God's thoughts. He sees a magnificent purpose in ALL things, all of which have a splendid purpose of bringing Him glory in some way or another. The things we react to with negativity is simply our selfish flesh with an "I want" attitude.
First of all, Philippians 4:19 tells us that God will supply all our NEEDS. I don't recall reading a verse in His word that flashes the bling, bells and whistles before us promising to be a genie in a bottle flopping every want that comes to mind into our laps. Besides, if our hearts were in the right place, shouldn't our needs and wants all be the same wrapped into one? HIM.
Yes, I have been argued with here, being told that He gives us the desires of our heart, and if those desires are wants, well, why shouldn't our hands be ready to contain those blessings?
Let's look at that scripture in context:
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
(Psalm 37:1-5)
So if we're not looking at the things of the world, or being envious of the stuff the world has to offer, trusting in the Lord, and committing our ways to Him, the want list changes doesn't it? At that point why then should our home, vehicles, jewelry, hairdo's, collections, and credit card charges be such an important focus for us? Yes, if we have it, we need to take care of it. If we have made choices that put us in a position of responsibility to pay for such things, then those debts are there for us to work for and debts to clear ourselves of... but the focus... the focus should be purely on Him.
Our thanks should be given over everything that comes along besides the good fortune. Will that flat tire give us a chance to witness to the tow truck driver or pedestrian that stops to help us change the tire? Are the problems with our children giving us a learning moment for ourselves as we turn them over to God praying for guidance? Those false rumors, aren't they simply a way for us to demonstrate love for our enemies? Could the financial needs piling up be His way of slowing us down and showing us our choices and how to better prioritize them... or even an open door to a testimony when He makes the ends meet when they seem so impossible at the moment?
Yes! The answer to all of those is yes! They are ALL moments that should bring praises of thankfulness to our lips. ALL things will ultimately bring God glory, whether we see it at the moment or not. How much less stress and worry will we have in our lives if we submit to that? Instead of the grumblings and complaints, stopping to think about how the Lord is using the moment for His glorification!
This weekend we picked up an exchange student from the airport, that will be staying with us throughout the school year. She's only been here for two days, and I believe she has said thank you more times in the last two days than I have said in months. That humbles me. It makes me realize how much more I should be rejoicing in thankfulness for EVERY THING that crosses my path... regardless of how badly the flesh wants to gripe about the circumstance.
I hope you'll join me this week, learning and submitting to giving thanks for everything that crosses our path... after all, it's in His will and crossing our path for a purpose!
