I Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Ever feel like you got things the wrong way around? Perhaps you realized you put something together backwards and you have to do it the other way? Not only has this been a common experience for me, but I feel this is exactly the mistake I have often made when it comes to thanksgiving—not the turkey or holiday—but the practice!
Too often I begin with the trial, difficulty, problem, pain, or hurt and then try to find something in the midst of the heartache to be thankful for. “What do I still have? What is God doing in me through this?” It is exactly this way of giving thanks that has gotten me twisted and misdirected. I have come to realize rather than trying to fit God into my problems, I need to fit my problems into God. In other words, my thanksgiving should always begin with God.
What are the characteristics of God that I am so thankful for (His love, His compassion, His creativity, His mercy, His generous nature, His condescension, His revelation, His Son, His good will, His plans, His temperament, His fatherhood, His adoption of me, His sheer goodness)? Why am I so thankful for His Word (promises, Psalms, principles, characters, stories, comforts, corrections, perspective)? What have I found in and through Jesus that I am so thankful for (salvation, friendship, mercy, grace, comfort, strength, hope, peace, faithfulness, and so much more)? What blessings has God already given to me (His Spirit, His Son, assurance, family, friends, fellowship, protection, victories, and again, so much more)?
Oh, when I begin with thanking the Lord, I do not have to search trials, turmoil, or tragedy for a scrap of good. … I only need to submit them to the God I am so thankful for, who is so good and always does good that He might bring good out of it. That for me is the right way around.
So this week, I am being prompted again and again to consider how thankful I am for God, and all the reasons why, and then to express them to God and others.
Twice in Haggai chapter one God exhorts the people to “Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5, 7). Why? Because they had things the wrong way round. They were beginning with all the opposition, hardship, and difficulties and trying to fit God in, and it just was not working. They needed to start again, putting God first.
So, maybe this week you might first “Consider your ways,” recognizing that maybe you, like me, had things the wrong way round. Start again each day with God, His Word, and the Lord Jesus, expressing your thanksgiving, and just see what happens!
