Unshakable Gratitude

By Lora Avery

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)

In spite of — or perhaps because of — humankind’s efforts to mend our problems, dissatisfaction and discontentment run rampant in our society. Our culture drifts further and further from the truths in God’s Word. The conditions we see around us press us toward despair like the gale-force winds of a hurricane. Complaining seems as natural as breathing. Ingratitude steals joy, kills hope, and destroys trust.

This broken world is full of pain and sorrow, yet God declares His expectation for us to rejoice and give thanks. If we take verse 18 of 1 Thessalonians 5 out of context, God’s instruction to “give thanks in all circumstances” can sound like an oxymoron, somewhat like the barbarian birthday dirge: “Death, destruction and despair, people dying everywhere, but happy birthday.”

Gratitude melts into the shadows of the world’s darkness when we think what we have is inadequate. The first sin was born from the temptation to doubt the sufficiency of God’s provision and take what they felt He was withholding (Genesis 3:5). If even Adam and Eve failed to be content with the perfect environment God provided in the Garden of Eden, it’s no wonder we struggle. We need to be reminded we can learn to be content in any situation because God gives us strength (Philippians 4:12–13).

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“When we truly grasp the chasm between what we deserve and the mercy God provides, the natural result is thanks.”

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Our level of gratitude depends upon our perspective, not our circumstances. Jonah gives us a good example. His prayer inside the belly of the fish overflowed with thankfulness (Jonah 1:17–2:9), even though his surroundings stunk, literally. To be honest, if I were swallowed as fish food, I doubt a prayer of praise would burst from my heart and lips. I’d probably beg God for a different mode of transportation to Ninevah.

But Jonah knew he needed rescue when the sea dragged him to airless depths. He knew his mutiny against God’s plan deserved judgment. He saw his faults and desperate need, so he recognized the goodness of God’s deliverance. When we truly grasp the chasm between what we deserve and the mercy God provides, the natural result is thanks.

However, Jonah’s attitude reverted. When vile people listened to Jonah’s words and repented (Jonah 3:5–10), he didn’t rejoice. He complained to the Lord. He even asked to die (Jonah 4:1–3). Few prophets in the Bible obtained the fantastic results Jonah achieved while sharing God’s messages. Yet instead of delight at the role God gave him in His compassionate plan of redemption, Jonah became angry. He wanted God’s provision to include harsh judgment of the fire-and-brimstone variety, instead of successful repentance and revival. Unmet expectations clouded his perspective. Jonah’s thankfulness vanished.

There was a point in my life when I sank to the lowest depths of ingratitude in response to the assignment God gave me. He called me to tough tasks during painful life storms. No matter what I did, the situation got worse instead of better. I ruminated over the injustice of it all and my disappointment from unmet expectations. My position in God’s kingdom no longer felt like I was a beloved child of my Heavenly Father. It felt like a job I performed for an impossible task master. I proclaimed my resignation from my relationship with Him. I told Him I wanted Him to leave me alone. Like Jonah, I thought running away from God was the answer.

My “I quit” declaration lasted all of about five minutes. In His great mercy and compassion, the Holy Spirit replaced my reckless thoughts with truths from memorized Scriptures.

The first truth prompted me to consider alternatives. “‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’” (John 6:67–68).

Life is hard. I can choose to go through it alone or with God’s loving companionship and power.

The second truth urged me to ponder eternal impact: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God’” (Romans 14:11).

God reigns over everything. Period. I can acknowledge and submit to God’s sovereignty now and be happy about it as I reap the benefits of adoption as His child. Or I will give Him the worship and reverence He deserves later and miss out on the blessings He paid a great price to supply for me.

As my perspective on the situation aligned with spiritual realities, my gratitude returned. I prayed: “Father God, please ignore my foolishness! Thank You for the light of Your truth. You unveiled the temptation to misinterpret my real circumstances. I am always held in Your loving embrace … come what may.”

God patiently transforms us to become more like Christ. Philippians 1:6 tells us: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

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“It’s not about denial of the problems we face; rather, it’s about recognition of the tremendous value and unshakable nature of the eternal blessings we have in Christ.”

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From Grumbling to Gratitude

So how do we cooperate with God’s work in our lives to flip the script from grumbling to gratitude? The Bible offers excellent guidance:

• “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
• “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
• “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
• “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1)
• “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

During difficult times, praise may feel like a sacrifice as we give up our focus on ourselves and push aside our desire to sulk about our problems. But when we center our attention on God and His goodness, He lifts our hearts, minds, and souls into a place of worship and peace. It’s not about denial of the problems we face; rather, it’s about recognition of the tremendous value and unshakable nature of the eternal blessings we have in Christ. Our thankfulness for His love and sacrifice overshadows our earthly troubles.

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“A heart tuned by gratefulness is better able to watch for the opportunities God provides to bless others.”

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Sharing Gratitude

The blessing of gratefulness is intended to be shared. Everyone needs this shock absorber against the jolts of life’s unpleasant surprises.

So how can we share gratitude?

1. Cultivate appreciation within your own heart and mind. You can’t share what you don’t have. Watch for God’s small and large blessings throughout each day to build your gratitude muscle. Give yourself time and space to marvel at all God has done, is doing, and has promised to do. Recognize much of His work is unseen.
2. Express thankfulness to God, particularly in the midst of troubles. Your testimony will encourage Christ-followers. Others may initially ponder your sanity. But eventually they may wonder how you can remain positive and might want what you have.
3. Thank and encourage other people to help them experience God’s love for them through you (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This can help reshape their perspective so they can realize there is good in the world.
4. Empathize with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). This one may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes gratitude sits with a soul in pain and mourns with them. Lift them up to our Heavenly Father in silence or aloud, trusting He is able to bring good out of even the worst of circumstances (Romans 8:28).
5. Share God’s abundance. Remain open to opportunities God provides to share His blessings through your time, talents, finances, support, etc. God has promised to provide everything we need to do everything He calls us to do (2 Corinthians 9:8). Give as the Holy Spirit directs.

A heart tuned by gratefulness is better able to watch for the opportunities God provides to bless others. Thankfulness turns down the volume of the enemy’s lies and the fears that threaten to ensnare us. It turns down the volume of distractions and the things our eyes can see. It turns up the volume of the eternal things our eyes can’t see (2 Corinthians 4:15–18).

Thankfulness isn’t a one-day-a-year phenomenon. It isn’t a chore to perform. It’s a gift to receive and give. Savor God’s gift of gratitude this Thanksgiving Day and beyond as you meditate on His unchangeable love and power.

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