Give thanks, in everything. For that is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus! (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
No matter what happens in our lives, no matter what we go through, never forget to lead back all the glory to the Lord. Here are 10 Reason why we should thank the Lord, not only when we are happy, but even when we are not:
- Gratitude keeps us continually conscious that the Lord is just CLOSE BY.
- Gratitude MOTIVATES us to look for His purpose in our circumstances NOT on the circumstances itself.
- Thanksgiving helps bring our will into SUBMISSION to God.
- Giving of thanks reminds us of our continual DEPENDENCE upon the Lord.
- Thankfulness is an essential ingredient for JOY.
- A grateful attitude strengthens our WITNESS to unbelievers.
- Thanking God FOCUSES our attention on God rather than on our circumstances.
- Gratitude gives us ETERNAL perspectives.
- When we are wearied by our circumstances, thanksgiving ENERGIZES us.
- Gratitude transforms anxiety in PEACE, which surpasses all understanding.
Points and Bible Verses
When we thank the Lord for the good times, then we should also thank Him for the tough times. When we omit thanking Him in tough times, it only means that we are doubting the truth that He is just, there, close by. God will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
By allowing ourselves to think of the Lord and thank the Lord during our painful or difficult times, we will be able to look further than the emotions we feel. We will be able to look beyond our circumstances and take heart God’s purpose in our circumstances. Even when we don’t understand why things are happening to us, the idea that God has His purposes makes us rely on that truth than rely on our current situations.
“Not my will, but Your will be done.” — Luke 22:42 NIV
“ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
(Special thanks to our church’s pastor, Gil Palero, for the insights on this post. God bless!)
