As a new year begins...
"Be joyful always; pray continually; GIVE THANKS in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:16-18
The 2009 Christmas season of remembrance and celebration is past. Forevermore it takes its place in the history books of humanity along side all the remembrances of the birth of Jesus. The regalia of the season of the Christ is being boxed up, stored away to wait quietly until next November when the spirit of the season will emerge once again. However, there is one thing that should not be boxed up and stored away... that is our joy and thankfulness. Being thankful to God is our key to life.
As 2010 begins, we should consider what it means to really be thankful each and everyday no matter the circumstances. Being thankful to God comes easily when things are going well. Life is good, no problems. Maybe you got the job promotion you’ve been hoping for... an unexpected bonus is handed out just before the holidays... the medical tests come back okay... your kids are behaving too well and you and your wife are getting along better than ever before. "Thank you, Lord!" you exclaim from a seemingly grateful heart.
But what about the other times in life when things don't turn out the way you have been hoping? You didn’t get the promotion... in fact you’re begining to feel unwanted by your boss... the doctor says you have to make radical changes to your diet and lifestyle or face life threatening consequences... you don't know how you're going to pay this month's bills since your wife lost her job... the wall between you and your spouse grows wider and the kids are out of control. What now? Giving thanks may not be the first response of your heart and mind.
God doesn’t like problems caused by a sin-filled chaotic world anymore than we do. But He uses the circumstances of these problems to help us become more Christ-like. In fact, He depends more on our circumstances to make us like Jesus than He depends on our reading the Bible. The reason is obvious... we face circumstances twenty-four hours a day.. and while not all problems are big, all are significant and useful in God's growth process for us.
Our problems are one of God's most effective tools for showing us the illusions of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. When things are going well, we are deceived into believing that we can handle life on our own. But when we find ourselves in a dark, difficult place we realize the truth... we are totally dependent on God.
The Apostle Paul discovered that God is trustworthy and faithful when we are "forced" to trust him in the midst of difficulties: "We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally-not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing" (2 Cor. 1:9 - from The Message Bible).
Nothing that happens to you is a surprise to God. His purpose is to use your challenges, pain and difficult circumstances to mold you, shape you, prune you and mature you into becoming more like Jesus. He is transforming you into becoming the person He knows you can be, so you will be ready and able to do the things in this world that He has called you to do!
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to offer thanks to God in everything-not for everything. God does not ask us to thank Him for unemployment or life-threatening illnesses or any of the many dark things that may come our way. So what does He want from you? He wants you to thank Him for who He is and for all He freely gives to you out of His love, grace and mercy.
In the midst of any difficulty, we can thank God for things such as knowing that He is present with us and will not leave us (Matthew 28:20); that He knows our every need (Matthew 6:8); that nothing is more powerful than His love for us (Romans 8:39); and that He is "behind the scenes" working in all things for our good (Romans 8:28).
We are not alone. The Sovereign Lord of the Universe, our Father cares for us more than we can hope or imagine. When you give thanks to Him despite your circumstances, He will empower you to experience power, transformation and the peace that "transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).
God understands that giving thanks in the midst of fear-provoking circumstances or heartbreaking events does not come naturally to us. Hebrews 13:15 refers to offering to God a continual "sacrifice of praise." A sacrifice is giving up something valuable in exchange for something that is considered more valuable.
Giving thanks in spite of your circumstances is sacrificing your natural responses of fear, anger and worry and choosing instead to offer praise for God's presence in your problems. And what will you gain? Often, very practical provision from the God who sees your needs... the ability to persevere. But even more than that, in God's timing, you will experience the reality of God's supernatural power in your life, equipping you to live the life to which He has called all Christians... a life of worshipful commitment, submission and obedience. As Paul said, "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" (2 Cor. 4:17, LB).
Begin 2010, thankful and joyful in the knowledge that you are loved by God. Be renewed and strengthened in knowing that He is not far off from each one of us as we experience life’s challenges.
Seek renewal in your personal relationship with God as this new year begins. Take refuge in His love and grace.
