In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
My eighteen-year-old grandson was driving a friend home from school one day. Coming around a corner, he hit some loose gravel and rolled his car over into a ditch next to the river. The car was totally destroyed and had to be towed out. One might wonder, Could a family be thankful for such a scary incident as this one? Oh, yes we were! Later we began listing the things to be thankful for. The car was used and needed a new tail light, which would have cost $150. It also needed new tires, which would have been at least $200. And it needed insurance renewal, even more money. My grandson had been planning to take care of those out of his “next” paycheck; instead he was able to invest that money in a new vehicle. Then the company that towed his car traded it for their services, saving him another $600.
Those were just the financial praises, but God made other provisions as well. There were four small trees where the car came to rest, preventing it from rolling into the river. Thank You, Lord! There was a huge boulder just inches beyond where the car left the road. Had the car hit that, my son and his friend might not be alive today. Thank You, Lord! The trunk flew open from the collision, allowing the boys to crawl out, since all the doors were impassable. Thank You, Lord! In the end, neither boy was hurt at all. Oh, thank You, Lord!
Are there times when you think it is unrealistic of the Lord to expect thanks? Do you ever find yourself asking, “In everything, Lord? Surely You don’t expect thanks in this situation!” Yet, God’s Word says, “In every thing give thanks.” God does not make mistakes, and He can make even a troubling situation into a blessing in our lives.
Even if we feel we have nothing for which to be thankful, we can start by simply giving thanks that we belong to the Lord!