The Gift of Being Thankful

The Gift of Being Thankful

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1 Thessalonians 5:

17  Pray continually

18  give thanks in all circumstances,       

      for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.



In June, 1970 I drove out my parents' driveway in tears.  I was 22 years old and I was headed to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.  I was crying because I realized that I would never again live in my parents' house as a resident but only as a visitor, but it would always be a home I could come back to.  For a moment, my thought was a man should not be crying at a time like this, but that idea was soon replaced in thankfulness that I had a home to cry about.

For the 99% of those last 22 years including most of the time attending college, living in that house had been a great time of love.  I realized then and there I was thankful in being who I had become but understanding change was coming in who I was to be.  No longer would my daddy be around to discuss my problems, but rather and mistakenly thinking, I would have to work most things out for myself.  Oh, as times went by I would talk to my father, but in time I would learn more about the importance of talking to a greater Father.  A Daddy Father that was waiting to hear from me, and He, in the near years after that, would teach me much greater understandings about patience, prayer, love, and giving thanks.  In that moment, I was so thankful that thankfulness came to mind.

Remembering my first reading of the scripture listed above is impossible, but in recent years it has become a favorite.  This scripture is difficult just like some others, especially the scripture of Jesus' last prayer in the Garden, "Not my will but Your will be done."

However, as difficult as Verse 18 is to accept, when we come to understand the nature of what the verse does not say, then what it means to us becomes most powerful.  It is most important to understand these scriptures in our good times before the sorrowful times tread upon our hearts.  Otherwise, these scriptures can be very hurtful and meaningless.

So, how can we be thankful in the death of a loved one, how do we give thanks as we see a life of love and dedication slip away from us or see a child seriously injured.

There is always thankfulness to be had in our relationship with God, most especially during our sorrows.   Some people often do not feel this during their sorrows often blaming God for letting this or that happen or for allowing a horrible event occur to someone.  It is all about learning to know and understand what God has and does for us.  We must trust and learn what sometimes seem opposite and counter to what society teaches us.

Just as a good parent will lovingly comfort a child when hurt, so too will God provide comfort to us.  But the reason the child feels comforted by a parent is based on the love and loving relationship the parent has established with the child.  This is why one of the first commands of Jesus is so important to us, in His comments to us about 'do not worry', Jesus commands us, "Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness..." (Matthew 6:25-34).  

God created us and loves us like the ultimate loving parent, and just as our children must do with us, we must learn that about God.  Children of good parents, because of the loving relationship set forth by the parents, learn what it means to be loved and comforted.  God gives us that love in abundance and we must seek The relationship with Him to learn and feel how great that love truly is.  We do that just like children with their parents, in communications with them, in our talking, and in sharing our feelings.  With God, our communication is through prayer, and in our prayers come feelings.  To feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart and to understand to the depths of our soul the love that God has for us, "we must pray.... and pray.... and pray....everyday."

When we come to feel the greatness of the love God has for us, then we begin to understand the thankfulness He gives us in all circumstances.  In His comfort and having His kingdom in our heart we can feel thankfulness in His love for us, regardless of our circumstances.

Click for Part 2 to learn more about being thankful in all circumstances and especially to learn about what the scripture does not say.  Reading and re-reading scripture often teaches us much about what the scripture does not mean and much as revealing new meaning for our lives.  As we we read scripture over and over and when we are accepting in attitude of His goodness, God reveals to us more of His Word for our lives.

Click Here for Part 2- on Giving Thanks in All Circumstances   and what this does not mean.

Thanks be to God

lonnie

© lonnie coggins

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Intro

The Great Theologian Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians tells us to be thankful in all circumstances.  This can be tough theology for most people as it is hard to think about being thankful in all and every one of our circumstances.  But, It is good advice when we truly understand what scripture means and what it does not mean.  Click the link for more on this.

 Please share the message on your Fb page as you like, and if you like, click the FB 'Follow' button to have notifications of these publications.  For other messages like this, visit my FB page, or on FB visit-"A Daily Thought Group".
http://lonnieadailythought.blogspot.com/2013/01/giving-thanks-in-return-to-main-menu.html

Publication  0091