Thanksgiving Holiday is Past, But Not the Lesson Learned from It
Our family celebrates Thanksgiving for a week. First our children join us for several days, and then we joined the larger family for the remainder of the week. This year, dynamics of the gathering were impacted by caring for Dad, who fell down a flight of steps almost two months ago. We cut our family time short and re-admitted him to the hospital to care for the latest downturn.
With each new hurdle, it’s hard to not question God’s purposes in letting pain and suffering continue for someone who has lived a full life and is ready to move on to his eternal home.
And yet, in response to my questioning, this Thanksgiving, in the midst of elder-care, I’ve been impacted by 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Consequently, in the midst of twice daily trips to the rehab center, I keep reminding myself to give thanks.
I may have questions about treatment or about God’s purposes, but I don’t have questions about God’s will for me. I am to give thanks—in everything.
My job to be grateful becomes even more difficult when I read Ephesians 5:20 and it says to always give “thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (italics added). Giving thanks for all things takes it to a new level.
I believe that the only way to give thanks for all things—and be sincere about it—is to sincerely believe in the goodness and the sovereignty of God. How can you be thankful for hardship without knowing and trusting God? After all, sometimes life is really hard. Our trial is small compared to many.
I’ve decided that when I struggle with giving thanks for all things, it’s because I waver in my belief that God is truly sovereign. In order to thank Him for all things, I need to know–without doubting–that:
• The Lord loves me.
• He is good all the time and His mercies are new every morning.
• Nothing befalls me without His permission.
• He is the ultimate wisdom, power, and authority.
• He has a purpose in letting this happen.
• He works all things together for my good because I love him and am called according to His purposes.
• Life is not about me. It’s about God. His greater purpose is to use all things for His glory and the building of His kingdom. Therefore, I can be thankful for all things.
I know God is sovereign. In my head, I know those things are all true.
Thanksgiving is past. However, now, when life is hard and I find it hard to thank God, I’ll be aware of the gap between what my head knows and what my heart believes.
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