“… giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20). Yesterday, a close friend and I discussed hardship. The person I spoke to has just lost his job and is understandably having difficulty adjusting as he looks for another one. The company he worked at for over three decades has shut its doors, leaving the workers to find new jobs. As I sympathized with him, I said something that so many people have uttered before, “You know things could be worse. There is always someone worse off than you.” It was one of those moments when the words hardly leave your mouth, and you already regret them.
He looked at me and said, “I know things could be worse, but now I have another problem.” I must have looked concerned because almost immediately he continued with, “Oh, no, it’s not me. I want to know who it is that those words cannot be said to. Who is the one person that no one can say, ‘There is someone worse off than you’ to.” Can you imagine how much their life must suck?” I don’t know who that person is, but I do know that trials are relative. One person may not see the lack of permanent housing as something terrible, while another would not be able to adjust – sometimes with devasting consequences. There are also people who are able to roll with the punches and take the things life throws at them with an upbeat, heavenly-focused joy. I admire them. I think we all do.
My mother used to say, “Be thankful for what you have,” and I think that is excellent advice. Too often, we concentrate on what we wish we had instead of what we have. When we do that, no matter what we have will seem inadequate. If we do have things we wish for and everything is “good with the world,” we may even be happy, but when the “wheels come off,” we throw happiness out of the window. In 1 The. 5:16-18, we read the following, “Rejoice always, 17. pray without ceasing, 18. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” God wants us to be thankful in all circumstances and not only when we have the desires of our hearts.
The key to a thankful attitude is not in the measure of wealth and material goods we acquire but in being content with what we have, as my mother so wisely stated. The best example of that is found in the words of Paul the Apostle in Php. 4:11-12, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” When we can master the art of being content, we will be much more likely to be thankful for the things we do have.
James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” For the sake of clarity – I am not saying that we should revel in our hardships and never, never have a “moment.” What I am trying to convey is the attitude of thankfulness that we all should have toward our God. No matter our present circumstances, we have breath, and we have life, and that means we will have another opportunity in the near future. What is more perfect than the gift of life? What is better than a caring family or friends who are willing to bear your burdens with you?
Of course, we want better health if ours is failing. Of course, we would like a permanent roof over our heads or the companionship of a loved one. Of course, we want a means of transport. Of course, we want more money to pay for our needs. And, of course, we want the necessities of life. But if we are not thankful for what we have, why would God feel compelled to provide us with more? Why would He listen to an ungrateful child? Lastly, not to minimize your difficulties, but unless you are “that person,” you have something to be thankful for.
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