Giving Thanks Always
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
There are four types of people.
First type are people who constantly complain and grumble. They brighten up a room just by leaving it. That’s the lowest level.
Second type are people who live lives of ingratitude. They don’t complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That’s a little better, but not much better.
Third type are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they’re grateful. That’s a better level but not the highest level.
The highest level is the type of people who are grateful for all things at all times. That is the secret of a happy and productive life.
Lamentations 3:21–25
There was a missionary who was visiting a church in India where they were taking a special offering during harvest time. One elderly widow came with a very large offering of rice, far more than would have been normal for someone in her situation to give. The missionary asked if she was making the gift as thanks for something special that had happened in her life. “Yes,” replied the woman. “My son was sick, and I promised a large gift to God if he got well.” “And your son has recovered?” asked the preacher. The widow paused. “No,” she said. “He died last week. But I know that he is in God’s care; for that I am especially thankful.”
There are times when God does not answer our prayers as we expect, but there is never a time when He does not do what is best for His children. His faithfulness, love, mercy, and compassion are unchanging. Rather than complain that we do not get exactly what we want, we should be grateful that He is constantly guarding and enriching our lives. Every good thing that we have is from God.
Because He has perfect knowledge, perfect power, and perfect love, we can count on Him to know what is best, to be able to do what is best, and to give us what we most need. Our thanksgiving and gratitude should be as consistent as the compassion of our loving Heavenly Father.
God’s compassion never fails, and even when He chooses to give us something other than what we ask, it is what He knows is for our best.