ThankslivingSample

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)~ In every thing, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Since giving thanks in all things is God's will for us, it means we can ask God to help us live a life of thanksgiving.

1 john 5:14-15 (KJV) says "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We all need grace to live a life of thanksgiving. Sometimes we forget to give thanks in good times because we take the things we get to do for granted. An individual who does not give thanks for good things is ungrateful, and ingratitude displeases God (2 Timothy 3:2).

While giving thanks in difficult times may be humanly challenging, we can ask God for strength to do his will. It is easier to murmur or complain when things go wrong. My flesh would rather blame God or other people instead of giving thanks. It takes supernatural strength to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving in good and challenging times.

Let us consider the life of Paul, the one who by divine inspiration is encouraging fellow believers to give thanks in ALL things. Please read 2 Corinthians 11:25-27 (NLT) attentively:

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 

I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

If someone who experienced physical abuse, dangerous situations, church hurt, and more can encourage fellow believers to give thanks in ALL things, there must be something supernatural about thanksgiving. Considering Paul’s experience, we have no excuse. Paul was serving God, yet he faced difficult times. The Christian life comes with trials and challenges. Giving thanks in all things empowers us to face difficult times with joy and make the best of every situation. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your will is for me to give thanks in all things. So, in the name of Jesus, I ask for the grace to give thanks in all things, to live a life of gratitude and remember that all things work together for the good of those who love you.  Teach me to love you by obeying your commandments. (John 14:15). Thank you for answering my prayers. 

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