Ongoing Gratitude

It is God’s will to give thanks in all circumstances. How can this be? Yes, in triumph and good things, but am I to be grateful in defeat and bad things? Christ’s thoughts many times are counter-intuitive to man’s shallow assumptions. The Lord in His wonderful wisdom understands the advantage of thanksgiving in prosperity and adversity.

Perhaps, we experience the marriage of a child and their fiancé who love the Lord, and we rejoice and give Him the glory. Conversely—we have the heartbreak of a child—who cannot keep their marriage together, and it ends in divorce. It is in this dark day of disappointment that we still say to our Savior: “Thank you for working all things out for the good of those who love you”. Thanksgiving governs our joy, peace and contentment.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Gratitude is also first cousins with humility. It’s out of the fertile soil of thanksgiving that humility is able to grow and flourish. Gratitude says, “Thank you God for giving me salvation in Jesus”, while humility says, “I want to go deeper in my intimacy with Jesus”. Gratitude says, “Friends are a gift from God”, while humility says, “How can I serve them?”

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints” (Philemon 1:4-5).

Furthermore, gratitude gives you the positive energy to engage life and live it to the fullest. It is out of your thanksgiving that you are able to understand God’s will and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. You can complain to Christ, just not about Christ. He wants more for you than you want for yourself, so be extremely grateful, ever rejoicing in Him.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

How has the Lord blessed my life? How can I express my gratitude to Him and others?

Related Readings: Psalm 118:28; Daniel 2:23; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 12:28

Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God