Have you recently endured (to paraphrase a classic children’s
book) a horrible, terrible, no-good very bad day? Such are times that we chafe
a bit at Bible verses that command us to be thankful. You know, like this:
A visual reminder of a famous quote: "The
fragrance remains in the hand that gave the rose."
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will
for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
That doesn’t leave much room for griping about people,
problems, pressures, or other perturbing things of life. Impossible? We might
think so. And then we run into people who live on a higher standard and inspire
us. One was my former pastor, who married us 41 years ago and recently died
just after turning ninety. Yes, ninety. At his memorial, his daughter shared
that she’d found some of his old journals, dating back nearly forty years.
Every day he had written down things for which he was thankful to the Lord. Thousands
of thankful items! And that included the difficult, discouraging years of
caring at home for his wife, who slipped away slowly of dementia.
All circumstances.
Impossible, except with God’s help, and trust that He knows
the bigger picture.
I’ve been around Major Worriers in my lifetime and have to
admit to being one myself. But I’m chastised when I read God’s command: “Do not
be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6).
Right after the command, the “how”:
….but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Some Biblical clues on nurturing that “attitude of
gratitude”:
“He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Cor. 15:57)
“For He is good, His love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles
16:34)
“From Him and through Him and for him are all things. To
Him be the glory forever!” (Romans 11:36)
I could cite more verses, but maybe the compelling image is
the vision John had of what happens in heaven:
“I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under
the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on
the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever
and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)
With worshipping angels as role models, what more can I
say? Except—to be grateful for the earthly role models that God has
placed in my life…like a faithful, devoted pastor who, every day, expressed in
his own handwriting his gratitude to God.
