Let us read 2 verses: Ephesians 5:20, “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” and 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. In all things, in all circumstances and at all times, God’s will for us is to give thanks. How far are these verses a reality in our lives? We have heard these verses many times. We may wonder how this may be a reality in our Christian life. We may think that this is a very high standard and something that is very difficult. In John 6:60 we read how the disciples told Jesus that his teachings were difficult to follow. We may also feel the same way, but it is not impossible.
In Philippians 4:6 we read, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” We shouldn’t be complaining and grumbling but giving thanks to God always. When we are weak and we face tough times, still God’s will for us is to give thanks. When everything is going smooth, it is always easy for us to give thanks, but this commandment is put to test when things don’t go our way.
What is the danger if we don’t have a heart of thankfulness to God? Let us read from Romans 1:21, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” These people knew God but didn’t honor God and didn’t give thanks to Him. Later on, their heart became foolish and was darkened. In verse 29-31 we read the pathetic state that they ended up in – all because they were not thankful to God. They forgot all what God had done for them and they didn’t honor God.
We shouldn’t have a heart of grumbling and murmuring. A heart of complaining should be replaced with a heart of gratitude. In Ephesians 5:22 onward, we read of the relationship between a husband and wife. This heart of thankfulness should start in our homes. We shouldn’t have a complaining spirit about our spouse. The husband and wife together shouldn’t have a complaining spirit against any other brother or sister in the church. Our home should be a home of thankfulness in all things, in all circumstances and at all times. Later in the chapter we read the relationship between parents and children. How do we treat our children? We shouldn’t have a complaining and murmuring attitude towards our children. Our surroundings are full of complains and murmurs. But in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation, we are to live with a heart of thankfulness at all times. In Ephesians 6 we read of the relationship between a master and a slave. For us, we can consider our work places. Do we always have heart of complaining to our bosses, to the company system and to our colleagues? Are we thankful to our God for the jobs He has given us? In all areas God’s will for us is to be thankful. Our lives should be different in this area.
When we are complaining in different areas, we are actually complaining against God. In Exodus 16:18, we read that when the Israelites complained against Moses, Moses told them; you are not complaining against me but against God. In the New Testament we read of the story of the 10 lepers. Only one of them came back and gave thanks. Jesus asked this man, “Where are the other nine?” Jesus expects a thankful heart for all that He does. Irrespective of the situations, God expects us to give thanks. In Psalms 34:1 we read, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” In the Living Bible, this verse is written as “I will praise the Lord, no matter what happens”. In Habakkuk 3:17-19 we read, “Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines,Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,Yet I will exult in the Lord,I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Whatever be the situation, God expects us to give thanks. Instead of complaining, Habakkuk decides to give thanks. We shouldn’t forget all that God has done and all situations that we go through are with God’s knowledge and control. All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. So, we should always give thanks in all circumstances!
When we doubt if it is possible to always give thanks, remember the answer that the angel gave to Mary. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and bring it to pass”. This is the same assurance for us. There is only one solution to be able to give thanks always – to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Eph 5-18 , we read “be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Let us have this sincere desire in our hearts. May God bless us!
