It is giving thanks when there is no apparent reason to give thanks; it's making yourself gave thanks when you don't necessarily feel like it. It is giving thanks on the claim and promise that God is for us and not against us when in the moment we feel the opposite. It is giving thanks by faith not sight or feeling (i.e. not based on a direct first hand good experience or feeling). It is a sacrifice simply because you're giving something you don't want or like to give at that moment i.e. thanks for the challenging times as well as the happy times. To do so you must give up - sacrifice - something you previously wanted more i.e. the comfort of pleasant circumstances.
When circumstances are difficult, what is the basis for our giving thanks?
When circumstances are difficult, what is the basis for our giving thanks?
We are told if we love God, all things work together to conform us to the image of his son. This is good for God and us. Good for God because our praise displays His infinite beauty and worth over and above pleasant circumstances and brings him ²greater glory. It is good for us because it draws us closer to Him to experience more of Him who is life, love and our greatest joy.
Our trust in God and faith that these things are true enables us to be thankful for all things… even and especially the hard things. It is praise that comes forth by faith not pleasant circumstances.
Our trust in God and faith that these things are true enables us to be thankful for all things… even and especially the hard things. It is praise that comes forth by faith not pleasant circumstances.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete (like Christ), not lacking anything.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom (about the struggles you're going through), he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting (that struggles are good for you), because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and ³tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways i.e. Flip flopping between whether you believe God is good - and working for your good - or not.
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¹Technically, this is a type of offering in the Old Testament (Lev 22:29) but the underlying principle, both now and then, is being grateful in the midst of sacrifice - being glad (thankful) to make it; to give up something you value - you put time and energy into acquiring such as a prime calf or goat you spend hours caring for - because you value more what you're gaining through the loss - sacrifice.
¹Technically, this is a type of offering in the Old Testament (Lev 22:29) but the underlying principle, both now and then, is being grateful in the midst of sacrifice - being glad (thankful) to make it; to give up something you value - you put time and energy into acquiring such as a prime calf or goat you spend hours caring for - because you value more what you're gaining through the loss - sacrifice.
²having and knowing God is more important than experiencing pleasant circumstances i.e. He is that significant.
³tossed by doubts of whether God loves me or not.
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Grace to you
Jim Deal