Being Thankful in All Things
Think back to when the apostle Paul was unjustly accused, brutally treated, and separated from his friends. If ever a person had a right to complain, it was Paul. Languishing, almost forgotten, in a harsh Roman prison, he didn’t complain. Instead, his lips uttered words of praise and thanksgiving. He had learned the true meaning of thanksgiving, even in the midst of adversity. Think of it: Always giving thanks for everything, no matter the circumstances. Thanksgiving — the giving of thanks to God for all His blessings — should be one of the most distinctive marks of the believer in Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving for the apostle Paul wasn’t a once-a-year celebration, but a daily reality that changed his life and made him a joyful person in every situation. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we must not allow a spirit of ingratitude to harden our hearts and chill our relationship with God. A spirit of thanksgiving is always the mark of a joyous Christian.
