In Everything Give Thanks

by Amelia
from Virtuous Daughters, November 2006~Volume 6, Number 8

​Our Heavenly Father gives us many things to be grateful for. Just take a moment and make a mental list of those things you can thank God for.

​Your list probably included some of the following: family, friends, a warm house, food, salvation, etc. These things are easy to be thankful for, but did your list include: siblings that are difficult to work with? A little brother or sister who has a tendency to get into your things? Disappointment? Loss? Being sick? Those who persecute you and revile you?

In our sinful human nature, we have a tendency to be thankful for only those things that are easy to be grateful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” This means we also need to be grateful for the things that are not easy to be grateful for! God gives us these things that are not easy to be grateful for, which we could also call “trials” or “testings,” for our good. In James 1:2–4 we are told, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” We are also told in Matthew 5:11–12, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

What are some of the rewards that you could receive for undergoing some of the above listed trials and testings?

• Siblings that are difficult to work with or who have a tendency to get into your things: patience, tolerance, gentleness, endurance, love, creativity, forgiveness, orderliness, and meekness (yielding your personal rights and expectations to God.)
• Disappointment: joyfulness, flexibility, availability, reverence, security, discernment, contentment, loyalty, and obedience.
• Loss (of friends because they moved away or of loved ones through death): security, patience, wisdom, discernment, faith, contentment, loyalty, and a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father.
• Being sick: joyfulness, endurance, patience, contentment, humility, and additional time that can be spent with the Lord since you aren’t able to do other things.
• Those who persecute you and revile you: joyfulness, discernment, discretion, humility, sensitivity, gentleness, meekness, and a closer relationship with the Lord.

 
God always has a perfect plan for everything that He allows to come our way. Next time you are faced with a trial or testing, thank God for it and look for all the wonderful things God can teach you through it!
           
​May God bless you as you give thanks to Him for all that comes your way!