The Real Reason To Give Thanks [it never changes]

“Give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In all, give thanks! Not for all or because all or in some. But in every good and wondrous thing and in every difficult and troubling circumstance.  

I used to wonder how a righteous God who knows everything and is good and pure and holy and just and loving could expect anyone to give thanks in “horribly gone wrong” moments. He knows the situation—how hard it is, how much it hurts, how unfair it is.

To give thanks in that? 

I’ve since learned it is those very attributes of God that gives us reason to proclaim gratitude. It’s never the situation we find ourselves in, but the God we always find near that gives us reason to be thankful. 

It's never the situation we find ourselves in, but the God we always find near that gives us reason to be thankful. Click To Tweet

We can give thanks in the hard because we are really giving thanks for

God’s forever love,

His divine righteousness,

His imparted strength,

His life-saving sacrifice,

His perfect plan.

Even in the bad, God’s goodness gives us reason to celebrate! 

Even in the bad, God's goodness gives us reason to celebrate! Click To Tweet

Whereas unrest and grumbling only produce more of the same, gratitude breeds joy and peace and more gratitude. Giving thanks is a balm to the hurting soul, a salve for the aching heart.

Singing songs of thanksgiving does more than glorify God, it also brings to mind more reasons to sing songs of thanksgiving. And a thankful heart bursts with a divine radiance, exuding joy and peace only found in the Lord. 

In thanksgiving we are drawn into a  closer relationship with Creator God.

The One who knows all about us yet still offers mercy and grace. The One who knows the next step we’ll take and our last one.

The One who is more concerned with the state of our eternal souls than the state of our mortal bodies and emotions.

The One who wants that last step to be made in full confidence of spending eternity in heaven.  

This Thanksgiving, don’t look to your circumstances to determine what to give thanks for or whether to give thanks at all. Instead look into the heart of the Lord of the universe and count His attributes as your blessings.

After all, God’s nature is (and always will be) the real reason to give thanks.

God's nature is (and always will be) the real reason to give thanks. Click To Tweet

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9)

Reflection: Which attribute of God are you most thankful for this year? 

Praying you find each day rich with God’s love, joy, and peace! 

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