Years ago, I started praying that God would make me a more thankful person. Now, in my estimation, I was already thankful, but I was coming to the conclusion that a child of God could never be too thankful, so I knew it would please the Lord if I improved in that area. That’s what prompted me to start praying that God would make me more thankful.
And God brought about an incredibly simple change in my life. He didn’t change my circumstances. He didn’t change my family. He didn’t take things away from me to teach me to appreciate them. He changed my perspective. He made me aware of all the things in which I had to be thankful. When you’re a truly thankful person, it’s easy to recognize the goodness of God all around you. And when you recognize the goodness of God, it’s easy to be thankful.
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
But how can you be thankful when bad things happen? By reflecting on the good. There are people who misquote I Thessalonians 5:18 and say, “The Bible says that we’re to thank God for all things.” Which means, according to them, you’re to thank God that your teenager is on drugs or that your six-year-old was just killed in a drive-by shooting. God is not responsible for evil, so do you think it pleases Him that we thank Him for the evil that we deal with due to living in a sin-cursed world? No!
But I Thessalonians says, “In everything give thanks…” That’s right. In everything; not for everything. What that means is that in the midst of a bad situation, we thank God for the good. And there’s always something good to thank Him for.
I deal with a balance disorder. One day, I lost my balance and hurt my arm when I fell against the wall. I complained to God that no one knows how difficult it is living with this kind of challenge. In His loving, still, small voice, God spoke to my heart. He said, “Marj, isn’t it wonderful that you can walk? A lot of people are in wheelchairs.” I wasn’t being thankful for what I had – an ability to walk; I was complaining about what I didn’t have – perfect balance.
I also struggle with poor eyesight. Another day, I was griping because I couldn’t read the phone book entry I needed and I couldn’t find the magnifying glass to make the number larger. Basically, I was having a pity party, “Oh, poor me. Boo hoo hoo. No one understands how bad I have it.” Then God spoke to my heart in his gentle and kind way and said, “Marj, isn’t it wonderful that you can see well enough to drive a car? Some people are totally blind.” I wasn’t thankful for what God had blessed me with – decent eyesight; I was complaining about what I didn’t have – 20/20 vision.
And God has shown me that thanksgiving begins with appreciation for the good things in life, because all good things come from God. (James 1:17) Start looking for the good in the midst of the bad. That’s where you’ll find God. God is good. He blesses his children with good things. And if something bad falls on you, ask God to show you the good in your situation. He will. That’s what you thank Him for.