Here in America, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It is a time to reflect on the things that we are thankful for and to spend time with those that we love. But sometimes, holidays that should to be filled with joy and thanksgiving are often met with fierce resistance in our heart. There are certain seasons of life that we do not feel like celebrating or being thankful for.
It seems like a really unchristian thing to say, feeling unthankful.
Logically speaking, we can know there is much to be thankful for, but in the midst of our human struggles and emotions, can we be honest and say that sometimes, not everything feels like something worth being thankful for.
That death, the break-up, the divorce, the illness, the miscarriage, the financial issues, you name it. How can we be thankful when our loved one can no longer join us at the table for Thanksgiving? How can we be thankful when we are not sure where the money will come from to put food on the table for Christmas dinner? You might be thinking, “Lord, how can I be thankful when everything around me feels like it is falling apart?”
And in all transparency, if this has been your recent train of thought, I am right there with ya. As the holidays approach, I have struggled with this in my heart.
The death of a loved one, the relational breakdown, the diagnosis, the financial struggles, it is completely normal to grieve, to feel lost, and to struggle with a not-so-glamourous new normal.
So if our reality is hard right now and our hearts are broken and hurting, how do we cultivate a heart of thankfulness with so much pain going on in our lives?
Even if we cannot find something in our circumstance to be thankful for, He is still worthy of praise and thanks.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says,
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”.
I read this and honestly, it stings a little.
It was not the original verse I wanted to use for this post either. I automatically want to retort, “God, don’t you know my heart has been broken? Lord, don’t you see my health issues? God, do you remember that family members died this year? How do I thank you in all circumstances?”.
I think that is interesting that this verse talks about thanks as part of God’s will for our lives. God does not need our thanks or validation. The rocks cry out and praise Him, the stars sing to Him. So why is it part of God’s specific will for us to be thankful?
Out of curiosity, I googled the definition of thanksgiving and thankful.
As I did this, I came to a more clear understanding of God’s heart towards us.
- Thanksgiving is defined as, “The expression of gratitude; especially to God”.
- Thankful is defined as, “Pleased and relieved” or “expressing gratitude and relief”.
- Some synonyms of thankful are: blissful, joyful, happy, satisfied, pleased.
- Some antonyms and near antonyms of thankful are: anguished, disheartened, depressed, downcast, unhappy, unsatisfied, and joyless.
Definitions via Merriam-Webster Dictionary
So why am I giving you an elementary English lesson on the word, “thankful”?
God’s word very clearly tells us to give thanks; to be thankful in ALL circumstance. God’s word tells us that it is His will for us.
If He desires for us to give thanks in all circumstances and being thankful is defined as being pleased and is synonymous with being happy, satisfied, and joyful, then I can only assume that He desires for us to be happy, satisfied, pleased and joyful.
But is He asking us to be happy, satisfied, pleased, and joyful because of our circumstance?
No.
That happiness, satisfaction, pleasure, and joyfulness is not found in our circumstances. Rather, it is found in the unchanging person of Jesus Christ.
He wants us to be pleased in Him.
Jesus wants us to be satisfied in Him.
He wants us to be happy in Him.
When we come to the realization that in the person of Jesus Christ we have everything that we need, it enables us to raise a “thank you”, even in the hardest circumstances.
Thank you, Jesus, because you overcame death.
Jesus, thank you that you provide all we need.
Thank you, Jesus, that I am defined by what you think of me, not the lies spoken over me.
Thank you, Jesus, that you are unchanging even when everything seems to be falling apart.
Jesus, thank you for tenderly holding all the pieces of my broken heart and have plans to renew.
I can be happy, Jesus, because you overcame death.
Lord, I can be satisfied because you provide all we need.
I can be pleased, Abba, because I am defined by your Words.
I can dare to be blissful, Jehovah, because you tenderly hold all the pieces of my broken heart and have plans for renewal.
The key to cultivating a thankful heart when your heart is broken? Focus on Jesus.
It sounds simple, but turning our eyes on Jesus and maintaining an eternal perspective requires intentionality.
This does not mean the pain will suddenly disappear. But we can be sure that God will never waste our pain.
Being thankful or pleased in Jesus does not invalidate what you are feeling or what you are going through. It pushes us to recognize the also real reality that there is a sovereign God who loves us and is purposely working on our behalf.
It means we can lean into the person of Jesus, no matter the circumstances. We can find joy and peace in Jesus, no matter the circumstances. And because of what we find in Jesus, something we will never ever loose, we can raise an expression of gratitude to God, no matter the circumstances; thanksgiving.
If this post was an encouragement to you, please share it so it can encourage others also!
