In my last post I talked about being resilient in a changing world. I believe one of the best ways we have to be resilient is to be thankful to God for all of what he has given us (i.e. everything). 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks in all circumstances, and Ephesians 5:20 says to give thanks for everything. It is not always easy to do, but I believe it is good for you, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. That thankfulness is supported by the confidence we have in God. It is the sure hope that we have.
The foundation of that hope and thankfulness starts with the fact that God loves you. He desires the best for you. He is on your side even through those tough times. He is using the circumstances of life to help shape and form you. Recognizing that, means that you can thank God for everything in all circumstances. He can take the wrong things in life and bring good out of them. In the end, he will make all things right. Note this is not optimism or positive thinking. This video talks about the word hope in the Bible. There are two Hebrew words for hope, which infer “waiting” (yakhal) and “tense expectations” (qavah). Biblical hope looks back and sees how God has faithfully acted and then looks forward and waits for God to act. It is in that looking back we can be thankful, and because of that thankful remembrance we can look forward in hope and be resilient.
It is fairly easy to be thankful for the good things that happen to you, but when you are in a tough situation it is harder to be thankful. You need to trust God and see his hand in directing you through the tough situation. Just making the effort to be thankful will help you to connect with God. Over twenty one years ago I came down with Gillian Barre. I missed 6 months of work. I was in the ICU for two weeks. It was a tough situation. Yet because of the illness, today I have a greater awareness of God’s goodness and grace. It also helped Gail and I to bond. I am thankful for that illness.
I find that I am in a better mood if I give thanks several times during the day. It reduces my stress and worry. Giving God thanks reminds me of God’s goodness and love. That allows me to trust him and to be flexible and resilient in that hope. It is a healthy attitude to have.
heinsite 
Someone in the Allies Men’s Group at my church wrote this in his latest newsletter a few days ago:
“I trust you have had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. What a great time to remember that scripture admonishes us to, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18) We don’t need to give thanks for our circumstances but in our circumstances. That reminds us that regardless of what is happening in our world or our lives, we still have an “attitude of gratitude.” That is the difference our focus on the Lord can make in our lives.”
I wrote back saying ………….
Here’s an even more challenging passage from Eph. 5:18-21 –
18. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19. speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20. always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21. and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Note verse 20’s command to give thanks for all things.
Eph. 5:20 is only possible because of another truth Paul wrote in Rom. 8:28 – which forms the bedrock for the foundation of my relationship with the Lord:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Jeff Lemke
I hit the Comment button on your e-mail below, and it actually worked this time. It actually posted my comment and didn’t ask me to log in first, and in the process lose everything I typed. This time it worked. Go figure.
Jeff