“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” – Maya Angelou
“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” — Aesop
“Because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Always be joyful, never stop praying, be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
In my estimation, the directive Paul gives above in his first letter to the Thessalonians is one of the toughest disciplines a Christian undertakes in this world.
It defies human logic, making it fodder for those with little faith or absolutely none at all. Honestly, to many Christians and atheists alike, the idea of maintaining continual joy and gratitude regardless of circumstances seems like asking for the impossible – a nonsensical, irrational request that mocks and belittles human suffering.
How can anyone be joyful when experiencing tremendous loss? How can we give thanks for the dreadful diagnosis or the pressures that surround financial lack? How is it possible to be happy when rejected, purposely deceived, or to be grateful for dreams that have died?
I believe the secret lies in acknowledging the two sides of who we really are. Two different, contrasting existences that make up the whole of our being – our human nature and our spiritual nature.
Our human nature focuses entirely on this world and all that transpires within what we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. It feeds on emotions and the earthly circumstances that drive them. It believes that what we experience here is all we will ever have, so it laments with any kind of circumstance that is unpleasant or unbearable.
Our spiritual nature is different. It is eternal and infinite. It sees the circumstances of this world as short, limited experiences that are designed to teach and enlighten us. Our spiritual side connects more intimately with the Creator – trusting in His sovereign control over all circumstances and in His deep love for us that rests in the center of all that unfolds in our earthly lives.
In essence, Paul is pleading with us to see things in the light of our spiritual nature – praying continually with a joyful, thankful heart knowing that a loving God is overseeing every circumstance and event.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
Can you see why being thankful and joyful in ALL THINGS is God’s will for us?
It’s not a dictate or a commandment, but His deepest desire for us my friend 😊
He knows if we view our difficult circumstances through the lens of our spiritual nature, we will live a peaceful, human existence.
He knows us fully – from the moment we were formed in our mother’s womb. He has a deeper, more profound understanding of our earthly journey – far beyond what our human mind can fathom. He sees with clarity our individual destiny and purpose, the needed length of our life to fulfill that purpose, and all the circumstances (both good and bad) we must experience here in order to accomplish it.
It’s why He desires that we “never stop praying” – knowing prayer keeps us spiritually centered and closer to Him.
If you are struggling this Thanksgiving season with the concept of being thankful in ALL THINGS, think about the two sides of who you really are. Realize how your limited, temporal human nature is driving this viewpoint.
Shift your focus to the TRUE ESSENCE of your existence – the eternal, spiritual part of you. Learn to see how all that transpires around you is in the hands of a sovereign, loving God. He is determined to help you achieve your destiny here by crafting and allowing circumstances to unfold with intention and purpose.
Be joyful and content that nothing ends here. It’s just beginning 😊
Be thankful in ALL THINGS – knowing that every circumstance and event has a loving purpose that goes well beyond our human existence.
Like the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote states above: ALL THINGS are contributing to your advancement 😊
Be continually grateful for that my friend!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.” – Psalm 105:1
