Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
The story is told of a man who lost an arm during an automobile accident. He became depressed and despondent as he grappled with the inconvenience of losing an arm. One day, the man saw another man on television who was born without both arms, and how that individual managed to live as normal a life as he could. The man who lost one arm repented and began to thank God for having one arm left.
During this season of uncertainty, some people may be tempted to lament their misfortune and become irreverent to God. Indeed, many may feel justified in their anger against God because they are infected with coronavirus, or lost their employment, or lost a loved one. I have spoken with several people who were not even able to attend the funeral of their loved ones because of COVID-19. Surprisingly, these individuals were still grateful to God amid their mourning.
It is in times of uncertainty that our faith and trust in God are tested. Our thanksgiving attitude in both trials and blessings of life defines our relationship with Almighty God and gives us the credibility to encourage others in their trials. True disciples of Jesus Christ are grateful to God in their tests or their triumphs. That is not an easy thing to do. However, because of our experiences with God, we trust that all things will work together for our good. Thus, we give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Giving thanks for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, is the least we can do in light of the salvation we have through Christ Jesus. Our earthly trials cannot compare with the glory reserved for those who trust in the Lord. During uncertain times, we must remember the victory we have in Christ.
Times may become uncertain. However, our blessed assurance in the Lord is always certain. Behold, the Lord is our very present help in times of danger. He is our deliverer and our supplier. Even if God does not deliver us from our present troubles, we still have to be grateful for how he delivered us in the past.
When we are tempted to bemoan our circumstances, we should look around and count our blessings. Johnson Oatman wrote, “When upon life’s billows we are tempest-tossed when we are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count our many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise us what the Lord has done. "Even when we are burdened with a load of care, we have to be grateful for God's faithfulness.
A heart of gratitude is therapeutic and liberating. When we give thanks in times of uncertainty, our worship is enhanced, and our spirits are emboldened. Our ability to endure and persevere through times of difficulty is amplified when we cultivate a heart of gratitude.
One of the reasons David is a man according to God’s own heart is because of the heart of gratitude he nurtured during uncertain times. David praised God in good and bad times. Even when he lamented his circumstance, he always finds a reason to be grateful. In the same way, we should give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, we thank you for our trials and our triumphs. May we learn to be grateful in times of uncertainty, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.