Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
It seems that in these times the reasons for which to give thanks are scarce; the mass media show a tabloid approach that extols and ponders the world crisis - (I am not saying it does not exist) - but the more noise we perceive, the stronger the panic becomes, sometimes disguised as extreme caution. The point is not to debate whether or not we live in a world engulfed in panic; the point is to define which voice we are allowing to be dominant and influential in our way of life and how we respond to adverse circumstances.
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation towards someone for a favor received, and if we go to our Manual of Instructions par excellence, the Word of God, we find that His will is that "we give thanks in every situation". But how to thank for the loss of a relative? How to give thanks for a diagnosis of a terminal illness? How can I be grateful if I am unemployed and the bills do not wait? They will always be questions with difficult answers from a rational human perspective, but this type of question leads us to exercise the part of our being that is in constant struggle with what we call real, physical, tangible, and that is the spirit. We have become accustomed to the idea that a consumer society sells us in which you are successful the more you have, but the Bible teaches us that God's children are grateful people, because they realize how much they have received. According to 2 Timothy 3: 2, one of the characteristics of the last days is a lack of gratitude. Evil people will be "ungrateful or ungrateful."
THANKS FOR NOTHING? Your life, your health, your gifts, your abilities, your loved ones that you can still enjoy, your home, food, the role you play in your community seem little to you ... these are some of the reasons why we should remain in constant gratitude with God, and that because we are used to having these blessings and receiving them as part of our daily life, we forget that they are there as a divine gift, and frequently we pay more attention perhaps to the gift of others, because “the neighbor's grass will always be more green ”… this is a perspective error! When we are grateful, our focus is no longer on our selfish desires or the pain of current circumstances. Expressing gratitude helps us remember that God is sovereign and always in control. So, gratitude is not only convenient, but it is healthy and beneficial for us, not only in the spiritual area, but also causing an impact on our physical, social, mental and emotional well-being. It reminds us of a broader vision that we belong to God, that He created us, that apart from Him we can do nothing and that our natural response should be to be grateful for the life He gives us. Psalm 136: 1 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his great love endures forever."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach me to exercise my faith and align myself to your Holy will, giving thanks for everything and in all circumstances. I know there may be a thousand reasons to complain, but today I decide to live with a grateful heart for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you will do.
Thanks For Nothing | Devotionals | ALTAR Church
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