Why Be Thankful?
Human beings are usually appreciative of anything which benefits them personally. They also tend to despise whatever brings them harm and displeasure. These are normal human reactions. And people usually show gratitude only for those things which they can concretely recognize and experience in a positive, pleasant fashion.
A proof of maturity, and a true sign of understanding, is the attitude of showing thankfulness not just for good favors received, but even for what may initially be difficult or unpleasant. This is so because one never knows how things will eventually turn out. There is so much that begins well and proceeds normally, but ends in failure. There are also things which may be horrendous at the outset but later bring unexpected, positive surprises.
Indeed, at any time of a person’s earthly trajectory, outward conditions may be adverse; one may be deprived of much which life affords; wars may be raging, and climactic conditions may develop into natural disasters heretofore totally unexpected.
On the other hand, internally also one may be confronted with many conflicts of varied significance and intensity. These may be familial in nature, may stem from stgnant, erratic, or totally broken human relationships, or lack of that strength necessary to take the steps leading to the fulfillment of dreams and goals.
Yet, God daily surrounds us with His gifts and His unchanging love. He daily loads us with His benefits, suprising us at every turn with new, undeserved blessings which only He can and does provide. He also puts many of His human agents round about us, eager to comfort, ready to counsel, willing to aid us out of any paralyzing condition in life.
For these and many more daily blessings, we need to be thankful. Our gratitude also must extend into momentary deprivations, passing distresses, and even disturbances which never came to stay. In any event, God’s grace is always sufficient!
Can you recognize that divine mercy, that godlike goodness He showers into your life? Even in the dark can you detect a gift from above? The apostle Paul recorded in Romans 8:18 that “our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far greater and eternal weight of glory…” And for that and other reasons, the same apostle urges Christians of all generations: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).
Let us not so much look at any gift, or the lack thereof, but unto Him Who is the Sovereign provider, ever mindful of the needs of His own and always ready to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we may ask or think.” He Who saved us for eternity, also sustains us throughout life’s journey with blessings beyond count!
May we also acknowledge that no matter what, we always enjoy much more than we deserve. The more thankful we are to the Source of every good and perfect gift, the more widely we open the doors of His storehouse for a continual multiplication of His favors toward us!
