all circumstances

This holiday, as I float through a limbo of life decisions and confusion, God is teaching me what thanksgiving looks like. I think many times it consists of those Sunday school answers of "I am thankful for my family" or "I am thankful for a refrigerator to put all the food in." And sure, it is great to count your blessings. In fact, it is encouraged. But what happens if you don't have that refrigerator, or food to stuff inside of it, or even your family. Are you to be thankful then?

You may say it is then important to change our perspective, to see everything in a good light. However, true Christ-like thankfulness is not based on optimism. It's not about seeing the 'bright side of life." It's about seeing the "Christ side of life."

"..give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

•I will be thankful in all circumstances because if we are in Christ- He is there throughout all those circumstances (AND THAT IS ENOUGH). 

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my WHOLE HEART; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." 
- Psalm 9:1 

• I will give thanks with my WHOLE being and recount all of HIS wonderful deeds. (IT'S NOT ABOUT ME)


True thanksgiving is not something that we can do out of our own strength. Even the Pharisees were "thankful" that they were not like the tax collectors (Luke 18:9-14). Ultimately, it comes back to the truth that we cannot bear fruit without our vine. 

So, I am learning to be thankful, not for circumstances, but for the God who has been sovereign through it all. 



Here is the sermon that inspired these thoughts
(I would encourage you to check it out)
http://sovereigngracenh.com/wordpress/?p=3287