No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Always be thankful. I’m all about giving thanks for the many, many wondrous things God does for me each and every day. No problem giving thanks then. But does this verse mean in I am to give thanks in everything? Even the bad stuff that happens?

Through the ups and downs of the years, I’ve tried to make sense of this verse, and understand it the way the Holy Spirit meant for it to be understood. I think I’m maybe, getting a little closer to figuring out the meaning.

The children who survive the accident that killed their parents…be thankful?                    The couple whose baby dies…be thankful?
The man who loses his job, his wife, his family…be thankful?
The parents who grieve for their child’s addiction…be thankful?

I’m beginning to believe, while we aren’t thankful for the horrible things that happen, due to living in a fallen world, we can be thankful we are not left to stand alone in our loss and grief. I think that’s where the thankfulness of this verse comes in. We can give thanks in the midst of our hurts and suffering, because Jesus stands with us. He comforts us. He brings us his peace. He helps us put one foot in front of the other, when on our own, that would be impossible to do.

It isn’t a Pollyanna, Goody! I’ve got two shoes, type of thankfulness. It’s a thankfulness grounded in the truth of who God is. A God who loves us enough to sacrifice his son for us. A God who will never let us go.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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