Thankful?

Giving thanks always for all things..... Ephesians 5:20

It has recently come to my attention (twice) in the past couple of weeks that I have somehow missed this verse in my theology. Oh dear how inconvenient!  When people have spoken about giving thanks for all things I have confidently pointed out that that is not what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches, but rather that we are to give thanks IN everything.  There is a bit of a difference there.  It's so much easier to give thanks in everything than for everything.

I have often thought of Paul and Silas singing praises to God while they were in prison chains, giving thanks in everything.  However when I revisit that I can see that they were giving thanks for their circumstances because they counted it a privilege to suffer for their faith.

But what of difficulties that befall us; things like health issues, financial difficulties, family crises?  If I give thanks FOR those things, isn't it as though I am attributing these difficulties as coming from God?  That doesn't seem right does it?  Though God is not the author of such things he does allow them to come to us through his filter of love and in a desire to see growth in us.  In Romans 5:3-4 Paul writes, "but we glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance character; and character hope.... "

What is your challenge today that you need to give God thanks for?  As you do it, remember also the truth that God is able to make "all things work for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.  He's doing a good work in us during those hard times when we yield to a spirit of thankfulness because we are only able to do that if we are trusting and relying on him and his strength.

Prayer:  Father, help me to thank you in the difficulties as well as when things are going well. I choose to trust that you are working these circumstances for my growth.  Amen