Give Thanks in Everything

What a wonderful privilege it was for me to be at DFW today to welcome home one of our men who has been serving our nation in Iraq. There were about thirty in our group who were present to greet Scott. When he walked through the door from customs, his wife and little girl ran to greet him. After a long embrace with his wife and daughter, he took the time to greet each one of us who were there to welcome him home.

Other than the sheer joy of seeing this man reunited with his family two other things made a tremendous impact on me. While this man in uniform was hugging his wife, then his daughter someone in the crowd started applauding. Then, a thunderous applause erupted throughout the entire baggage area. Everyone stopped what he or she was doing, turned toward this scene, and applauded. The second impressive moment as I stood back to watch was when total strangers started approaching him to shake his hand and express their gratitude. I overheard one man say with tears in his eyes, “thank you for what you have done for our country.” It was a moving experience.

There are some times when it is easy to express appreciation. Thankfulness just overflows because a heart is filled with gratitude. There are other times when it is much more difficult to express thanks. How does one give thanks in the face of a life-threatening illness, when they have lost a loved one, when a child has walked away from the Lord, when they have lost their job, when they are at odds with their mate or children, when life seems to caving in? It is during these times that Christians must find a way to be thankful.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The Bible is clear; we must give thanksgiving in all things. It is only then that we will know the peace of God that passes all understanding. It is only then that our hearts and minds can be guarded in Christ Jesus.

I know from my own experiences in life how difficult it is sometimes to find a way to be thankful. We cannot humanly understand why some events and circumstances make their way into our lives. However, through faith, we trust that our God will continue to work out all things for our good, if we love Him (Romans 8:28). We remember what Job learned as he was tested by the trials of life. Just because we do not understand, does not mean that our God doesn’t understand. In addition, just because we do not understand something now, it does not mean that we will never understand. May God help all of us to work diligently to give thanks in everything!