A famous English Bible scholar named Matthew Henry was attacked by thieves and robbed of his money. After his experience, He penned these words in his journal: “Let me be thankful. First, I was never robbed before. Second, although they took my purse, they didn’t take my life. Third, although they took my all, it was not much. Fourth, let me be thankful because it was I who was robbed and not I who did the robbing.”
Regardless of your circumstances, there’s an abundance of reasons to choose an attitude of gratitude. H.W. Westermeyer observed, “The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts— nevertheless set aside a day of thanksgiving.” If the struggling Pilgrims prioritized giving thanks to God, how much more ought we to give thanks? The Pilgrims didn’t only give thanks on a single day of the year; thankfulness was their culture. For them, thanksgiving wasn’t a warm feeling from a scented candle, or the mouthwatering taste of their favorite dessert, it was deliberate choice to thank God in every thing. The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in the ancient city of Thessalonica to remind them of the priority of a thankful heart. Possessing a thankful
spirit is an essential aspect of God’s will for your life.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Understanding God’s will for you doesn’t need to be difficult. It’s quite simple. Finding our satisfaction in Jesus Christ is central to following God’s will in your life. Being satisfied in Christ means living with a spirit of contentment. No matter the season, no matter the circumstances, Christ is enough.
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
A spirit of satisfaction doesn’t mean you don’t have desires for the future. It doesn’t mean you aren’t working toward goals, nor does it mean you don’t deal with any problems in life. But it does mean you aren’t allowing the pursuit of your desires, or the problems of life to sap you of a thankful spirit today.
At age seventeen, Joni Erickson Tada broke her neck in a swimming accident leaving her paralyzed from her shoulders down. Yet anyone who has been influenced by her knows she models a genuine spirit of thankfulness. She said, “Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it is a matter of obedience.” Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf from childhood said, “So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I don’t have.”
Are you thankful for the season of life you are in today? Someone once said, “I find joy in every day, not because life is always good, but God is.” Whether you are single, married, widowed, or divorced, you can be satisfied with Christ. If you’re battling cancer, or overcoming a handicap, Christ is enough. If you’re struggling with a special needs child, a wayward child, or wishing
you had a child, Christ is enough.
Our conduct, as a Christian, should not mimic our culture. As a Christian, we need not be in constant search of some new thing to find satisfaction, because Christ is enough. Period. Our
covetous culture subtly wears off on us through its relentless temptations to possess something bigger and better—sports cars and work trucks, kitchen appliances, tools and toys, matching furniture, and the latest technology. How much is enough? John Maxwell said, “What we appreciate appreciates.” So, start appreciating what God has already given you. Wash and vacuum your old car. Pressure wash your imperfect house. Paint your shabby fence and prune the overgrown bushes. Regular maintenance fosters a spirit of thanksgiving. Rather than spending your time wishing for what you don’t have, thank God for what you do have.
A weary traveler journeys across the scorching desert. His skin scorched from the sun and his tongue cleaves to the roof of his mouth. One thing is on his mind—water. Then, he sees it. Could it be? Here in the middle of the desert? Yes, there it is!
Right before his very eyes sits an oasis; a pool of water surrounded by shady palm trees. It’s everything he’s dreamed about. It’s the answer to his problems. His weak, aching body moves forward with renewed hope. But when he arrives at the spot…nothing. A mirage of vanity. What seemed so real to his senses fooled him. He saw it in his mind, he tasted it in his mouth, he could feel the cool water with his hands. But it wasn’t real; only a mirage.
Countless others have believed the deception of attractive mirages. They feel so believable. They appear so convincing. They normally start with the words, “If only…” What is your mirage? Comfortable lifestyle… more social media followers… lavish retirement… custom-built house… recognition of achievements… higher rank… a youthful body… a better ___________? While desires may not be sinful, beware of the lie that they provide lasting satisfaction. Like the new car smell, fulfillment in earthy things is short-lived.
What do you wish you could change about your life or circumstances? God’s will for you is to learn to find your satisfaction completely in Christ—not in your circumstances. The Apostle Paul spoke of this rare gem of gratitude when he was unjustly imprisoned for preaching the gospel.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Discontentment attempts to open doors ahead of God’s will. Ignoring God’s timing, and pushing through closed doors always leads to regret. Striking out on your own ahead of God’s timing is a grave mistake. Follow King David’s counsel in Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…” Responding to life with impatience only creates a mess, but, through
patience, the Lord creates a masterpiece. If you desire the masterpiece, you must trust the Master. Many people grumble their way through life from one problem to another trying in their own way to create a better situation than the one before. A spirit of impatience and unthankfulness are a destructive duo which only compounds the chaos in your life.
Be thankful right where you are by appreciating all God has done. If you don’t choose thankfulness today, tomorrow won’t be any different. Charles Spurgeon said, “We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and write our blessings in the sand.” Be careful not to minimize the blessings of the past, or fail to recognize the blessings of today. Dissatisfaction blinds us to the goodness of God and reveals a spirit of ingratitude. Thanksgiving is God’s will for your life. Choose to be satisfied with Christ alone right where you are, and you’ll experience the satisfying joy of Jesus in every season of life—because Christ is the essential ingredient for a thankful heart!