By: Rex Stump
Did you hear about the man who gave up his seat on the bus to a woman? She was so surprised, she fainted.
When she came to, she thanked the man, and then he fainted! I heard this exaggerated story used to make a point – simple expressions of gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness or so rare that they shock us when we experience them.
I look back over this year, and I remember January 1st when I thought I broke my foot. As we drove from the hospital Toby Mac’s song, “Faithfully” came on the radio. “It’s been a long year… It’s been a hard year.”
Jenny and I looked at each other and almost laughed…yep, day 1 of 2024 and it feels like it’s going to be a long year. But God is faithful.
When we consider the physical struggles, financial struggles, economy, politics, funerals, family tensions, and the emotional ups and downs I’ll be the first to admit that being thankful isn’t at the top of my to do list.
But then I read I Thessalonians 5:17-19 and I’m quickly reminded to be thankful in all circumstances. “Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.”
The verse doesn’t say be thankful FOR those circumstances but to be thankful IN all circumstances. This is God’s will for me! I don’t like all the circumstances, but during these circumstances I can still find reason for being thankful.
How? Through prayer—time spent with God, listening, and seeking His direction in tough circumstances. Two simple examples:
Like many, I pray before eating. Why pray to bless the food. It’s good to pause and talk to God about the food I have.
I know that most people in this world have less food than me, and as I eat, somewhere on this planet a person is dying due to starvation.
This reminds me to be very thankful for my food. So, I pray and thank God, who has truly blessed me with food.
IN all circumstances be thankful, even if it’s not your favorite choice of food, even if you must wait an extra two minutes in the drive thru!
I like praying after sporting events. Win or lose, I pray after sporting events, to thank God for the opportunity to play, to run, and to be part of a team. Not everyone is gifted to play sports.
Not everyone is healthy enough to play. Most people are lonely and have never had the chance to be part of a team. IN all circumstances be thankful.
Prayer and Thanksgiving! I’ve noticed that when I stop praying…I stop being thankful. The result of a wimpy prayer life and an ungrateful heart is a stifled Spirit according to verse 19.
The word “stifle” means to extinguish, like throwing a bucket of water on a campfire. When we pick greed over giving, selfishness over selflessness, or complaining over thanksgiving; we extinguish the work of God’s Spirit in our lives.
I strongly encourage you to develop an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. Long lines, family get-togethers, school, work, busy stores, slow computer…IN all circumstances, pray and give thanks! Don’t extinguish God’s Spirit in your life!
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Rex Stump is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Pastor at True North Church in Wauseon, Ohio.