Pastor's Corner: Thankfulness in all things

What does it mean to be thankful? During this season we are reminded of Paul speaking to the church in Thessalonia when he states: [BEGIN ITAL]“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”[END ITAL] 1 Thessalonians 5:18. And although this is a perfect scripture for this week, we still, as only we can do, struggle with giving thanks in difficult times. He proceeded before this moment to tell the church to “Always be joyful,” which is an interesting statement to make when you follow that with “be thankful.”

Our joy and thanksgiving are tied to each other, in a manner that is unbecoming of our natural state.

So often we see the negative side of the life we live, whether that is our health or lack thereof, the struggle with finances, loss of a loved one or just simply things not going our way. We have a natural tendency to filter the good out because the bad is very loud and in our face.

David starts Psalms 22 with exactly how many of us feel. [BEGIN ITAL] “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?...”[END ITAL] However, in verse 3 he claims, [BEGIN ITAL]“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”[END ITAL] It is in this moment that you realize, even when we are alone, even when we feel hopeless, even when we complain to God Himself, He is still Holy and still on the throne in heaven above. God never abandons us, He is there, in full control, in all things, we just need to adjust our view to see Him.

In all reality, I do not believe the complaints to God are the problem. After all, if I am going to cast my cares on Him as the Bible tells us to do, then I might as well cast them all!

Only Christ can understand the pain that we suffer with daily. Only Christ can understand the weight of guilt that we walk around with. Only Christ can understand the heartbreak of relationships that don’t end well. Only Christ can understand the moment when a father turns his back on you. And only God Himself can understand the loss of a child, a friend, a brother.

Frankly, if I am going to complain to anyone, I want to complain to the one who has experienced it all. David did exactly this, and then wrote one of the greatest psalms of all time. Psalms 23 is so beautifully written, expressing God’s true nature, that He will consistently be there for us, but we need to understand His ways a bit more.

He writes in Psalms 23:4, [BEGIN ITAL]“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”[END ITAL]

The very staff that the shepherd uses to protect his sheep is the same rod that he uses to teach his sheep. That which disciplines me is also that which comforts me. When we truly understand this scripture, we can effectively look at our lives and realize that the things we are going through today are not meant to break us, they are meant to teach us and to guide us in a direction that will bring us closer to Him. And when we realize this, we can turn and be thankful during a storm, knowing that He Himself is there right beside us.

During this season of our lives, we have so much to be thankful for – our family, our friends, the loved ones around us. But even when times are tough, I thank you, Lord, for your rod that teaches me and for your staff that protects me. I am grateful for your counsel and will continue to praise your name.