Ephesians 5:20 ESV giving thanks always and for everything to God …
On Thanksgiving it is traditional to state what one is thankful for. We all have many things for which we can be thankful. Even in the midst of stress or crisis we can always find good things for which we can give thanks.
However, this verse tells us to take our thankfulness to another level. Ephesians 5:20 commands us to ALWAYS give thanks for EVERYTHING. Not only should we find good things during trying times to be thankful for but we should be thankful for the trials.
Is this realistic? Is this even possible? One can endure trouble. One can persevere with an attitude that glorifies God. Can we truly be thankful for pain, heartache, and suffering? The answer must be “yes.” God does not command us to do the impossible. Rather, He makes the impossible to be possible when He commands it.
It does take a significant shift in our thinking. We must fully trust God and believe what He says. God, through the Bible tells us that He is sovereign (Colossians 1:16) and all powerful (Matthew 19:26). The Bible says that God is good (Luke 18:19). It tells us that God wants the best for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
If we really believe all of these things then we believe God has plans to benefit us and has the power to control our situation. Therefore, despite something being unpleasant or painful, it is for our good. Hence, we should be thankful for it.
How can a trial be for our good? How can an illness, or persecution, or a loss benefit us? There are many possibilities. Joy during suffering can glorify God and earn eternal rewards. The trial may give us opportunities to share the gospel or bless others in some way. It may teach us something that will help us later.
Finally, it may lead to death. Most Christians have a wrong view of death. It is funny that we all believe we will go to a better place, but we are in no hurry to get there. We tend to look at death as the ultimate tragedy but in reality it brings us into the presence of God. Physical death means we go to Heaven! That means death is actually God’s greatest reward!
As I said, this takes a significant shift in our thinking. I know I am not there yet. Yet, if we let God transform our hearts and our minds then our perceptions can change. We really can give thanks to God always and for everything.
Lord, give me Your perspective. Let me see all things through Your eyes. Give me a grateful heart that thanks You in all things.
2 Replies to “Give Thanks”
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I don’t have that perspective “locked in” yet either. But like most folks say the birth of the church was at Pentecost. I believe that Pentecost was the conception of the church and the rapture will be it’s birth. Like a baby being born, normally, the Head is “born” first, then the body. Christ the Head, church the body. At death we are “born” into our eternal bodies. Then we will be like Him. – This thought has certainly changed my thinking when I’m attending a funeral service for somebody I’ve known.
I like your analogy.