A Thankful heart

Life is a roller-coaster ride sometimes. We can get emotionally up one day and get run down the next day (sometimes in the very the next minute)! The one thing we seem to lack is control over our day to day lives. That is to say, we cannot plan or predict what each day will bring and that gives us a certain sense of excitement. Perhaps more accurately put, for many people it creates anxiety and a certain sense of dread! Not to mention the uneasiness, tension and bitterness that may simmer within us when faced suddenly with unpleasant circumstances. However, we need to remember that the Lord Who made us and Who knows all things wants us to have a heart filled with trust and thanksgiving. He does not want us give in to the flesh and harbor bitterness or anxiety.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5 : 18

Give thanks in everything? "But, I am suffering with painful conditions!" "How can I praise God now?"

For us to be able to praise Him and give thanks when nothing seems to be going our way, does not seem natural at all. To the sinful flesh, it even appears justifiable to complain a little here and curse a little there. When bitterness begins to smolder inside, we reason that the conditions warrant it. Deep down inside, we know that this is the wrong attitude and response to have when faced with difficulties. The Spirit of God has spoken and revealed to us that when we became born again, we became a new creation in Christ. All the old things were done away with and everything became new.(2 Cor 5:17) Therefore our behavior is to be very different than that of the unbeliever or "carnal" man.

The world has nothing going for it, no real protection, no guarantee of promises or blessings from Jesus Christ. We, who have called out to Him in our distress and have been saved from destruction are ever in the Loving Arms of an Almighty God Who engineers all things for our good ultimately. We are to triumph and even glory in tribulations but it begins with a thankful heart. We must never forget that.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. "
Romans 8:28

Let us ever remember that when we walk with Him, he will never allow anything from which we cannot learn some spiritual truth or benefit in some way during our pilgrimage down here.

When we thank Him against the dictates of our fleshly desires, he opens our hearts to see the good that can come from the situation.

It may be a test which God sends to see if our faith is all that it should be. Sometimes God will cause our spiritual muscles to be stressed and stretched a bit so that we can become spiritual giants one day!
The crown of life is given to those who love the Lord and that is manifested when we give Him thanks always in all circumstances.

When we make the choice to praise God even in all kinds of trials, it proves that we are trusting that He will work everything out for our good just as He promised He would. Such an implicit trust in Jesus' wisdom and providence will ensure us deliverance from the bad times and bring us to a place of greater glory.

So don't get discouraged or bitter but maintain your peace. Open your mouth in faith to the Living God and give Him praise for his goodness. Let us give thanks to our Wise and Merciful Heavenly Father from our hearts and He will surely lift us out of all our troubles in due time!
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O Most High: ..." Psalms 92 : 1
"I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me."
Psalms 119 : 75

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
Ephesians 5 : 20

- by Pradeep Emmanuel Stephen Š2003 comprehensivechristian.com
[Permission is granted to duplicate this article in its entirety, but only without additions, alterations or omissions of any kind, including the author and ministry name at the end.]