Thankfulness
By Elin Henderson
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Highs in the upper 90’s and clear blue skies.” Sounds like a nice weather forecast, doesn’t it? Especially to those suffering under the snow and cold! But, what if that had been your weather forecast every day since September, with the occasional days in the 100’s? Do you think you would still feel the same about it? Maybe I am complaining to the wrong crowd, but God has been working on my heart recently in the area of thankfulness and, thus, contentment. Day after day I sit here in Mozambique, sweating in the heat, praying for rain. As I face person after person crying because their gardens have dried up and there will be little to no food for them this year, I struggle to be thankful and content.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 offers advice to those of us struggling to be thankful. Giving thanks is God’s will for us no matter the circumstances. In every situation, His will is for us to find thankfulness and contentment. Now, how is this possible? On our own it is not! Yes, some days we can muster up thankfulness for a moment, but let’s face it, every day, every thing, always thankful? That is not within us. And, God never intended we do it on our own. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 goes on to say, “Now may the peace of God sanctify you completely.” It is His Spirit at work in us that will produce this thankfulness as He conforms us to His image through the process of sanctification. Our job? Walk with Him, depend upon Him, cry out to Him when we are struggling, and see His sufficient grace come through every time.
The following is taken from Linda Dillow’s Calm My Anxious Heart and is a helpful reminder regarding thankfulness:
- Never allow yourself to complain about anything – not even the weather.
- Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
- Never compare your lot with another’s.
- Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
- Never dwell on tomorrow – remember that (tomorrow) is God’s, not ours.
What a challenge! I keep this posted in the open so that I see it daily and am reminded to never complain…not even about the weather!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What areas in your life are you struggling to be thankful? Ask the Lord to help you trust Him and be content.
FURTHER READING:
Philippians 2:14 & 4:6; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15
Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.
