I have to say that I am incredibly thankful for this life that I am a part of. Now that doesn’t mean that my circumstances have always been so pleasant because I have also know days that were far more difficult.
One thing that I have learned over the last 56 years is that being thankful really has nothing to do with circumstances, good or bad. Being thankful is a choice and I am so glad that I learned that lesson early on in life.
Paul said in 1 Thess 5:16-18 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
The above scripture may be one of the greatest truths that anyone can believe to find peace on this earth.
"Give thanks in ALL circumstances."
To be able to give thanks in all circumstances one must have faith that looks beyond what is seen and rely on something that you know will get you through whatever comes your way. That’s why I believe with all my heart that God provided all of us that very something in the person of Jesus Christ. He provided a perfect life, a life so powerful that it would be able to justify every man or woman who has ever or will ever walk this earth. There is no sin too big or circumstance too difficult for our Lord and Savior.
Rom 8:38-39 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There are some that claim to be followers of Jesus and yet they believe he only had the power to save a few. How could we ever be thankful in ALL circumstances if we don’t believe HE is Lord of all circumstances? I have sadly seen many a Christian who grew bitter when the circumstance of their life became hard, and why shouldn’t they when they are told so often from the pulpit that God only blesses those who believe enough and have enough faith? Of course, they are never told just how much they have to believe or exactly what is defined as a faithful life.
Well, here is the good news. Jesus is Lord of all circumstances. He did believe enough. He did have a perfect faith. And He does stand by our side in the hard circumstances, and the easy ones, and He has made it crystal clear that He will see us through regardless of how difficult it may seem.
We do have a decision to make, and this decision will not change the final outcome because that has already been decided by what Christ did at the cross, but making the decision to be thankful in ALL circumstances will give us an incredible peace as we journey here on earth.
So, as I said earlier, my present circimstances are really wonderful and I am incredibly thankful, but if things change tomorrow, I know I will still give thanks because I have a PERFECT SAVIOR who walks with me through whatever comes my way.
Thankyou Lord Jesus that we might choose to celebrate EVERY day with THANKSGIVING IN OUR HEARTS.
And I give thanks today for my friends Cliff & Nancy! I love you and may this Thanksgiving be one for the ages.
Peace
Geo
And Nancy & I give thanks for our dear friends Geo & Bonnie. We can’t tell you how grateful we are that the two of you came into our lives.
I am thankful for the gift that causes me to be thankful, that gift is life
I am thankful for all my friends, that includes my interweb friends here at BG
I am thankful for the freedom, grace and liberty I expirence in Christ
It is really something how giving thanks has the ability to clear the air in ones heart, it creates space in a way that nothing else can, great post Cliff.
Wishing you all the best of life this Thanksgiving! To all my friends and family, may your day be bright and full of joy! May you find yourself surrounded by love and caring. And may you be reminded of the wonder and cheer of being a part of God’s creation!
I am thankful for all the people in my life. Through you all, I know I am cared for, and loved. You are my family. You are the family of God.
I have so much to be thankful for. My wife, children & grandchildren. My friends including those here at BG. My little grandson who just came through open heart surgery with flying colors. My sixth grandchild who is soon to be given life by my daughter Christy….her first. And especially my Savior and yours, Jesus and our Father who graciously gives us life abundantly
Happy thanksgiving to all.
Marco, No apoligy needed. I sense also that you have much wisdom and I know you were trying to help us all out of this mess. I am thankful for you and I hope you keep speaking your mind. If there is anything I have learned it’s that I need to keep on learning and that can never happen without an open mind to all who come here to share. You as well as so many others have taught me a great deal and I am excited about what lies ahead.
PS. I do want you to know that I listened to every word you had to say and even though I didn’t agree with it all there was far more in what you said that I agreed with. Please keep commenting!!!!!
ALL, I hope all had a great TG day! I am thankful for so much. 8 days ago we had a great grandson born! Then yesterday we had a granddaughter born! Today we had a wonderful TG day with family and it was great. My husband and I have been married 40 years, been together 42. WE have 4 wonderful children and now have 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. As of this writing everyone is doing well. Can’t ask for more than that. I’m also thankful for all of you. I’m also thankful for God and Jesus and Life. Because he first loved us – Sue
I am thankful for all here at Bold Grace.The love of the Lord has pour out threw many who write and I am thankful for place to find peace and love.
Love in Christ Dan
Great news Sue. Congratulations on your marriage. And we at BG love you too.
Dan……Always love to read your comments of encouragment.
Our thanksgiving in Canada passed a few weeks back – our thankfulness is over (lol).
Great post, Cliff! One neat thing about being 55 years old is that I have moved through several trying seasons and have learned that, though circumstances come and go, God is always present and available. I am most thankful for His presence, as well as the many blessings He has brought my way. Hope you and your family had a bountifully blessed day yesterday!
Thanks Connie. I hope you and yours also had a great day. Isn’t it wonderful how we can always look back and see His presence was always there even when we thought we were all alone. Truly, He is the Lord of All Circumstances.
SocietyVs, Your statement about thankfulness being over in Canada was funny. What were you thankful for? Because he first loved us – Sue
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving regardless of whether you’re American or not. I’m thankful for God’s love, my family, friends, etc. I’m also very grateful I’m not at the same place I was a year ago. My life now is a reminder that even the worst circumstances will eventually end.
I’m very late getting in on the Thanksgiving theme, but then again one’s timing can never be wrong when it comes to being thankful. I haven’t been around much lately, but every once and awhile I do check in on you guy’s and gal’s. The freedom to express one’s views and opinions is not limited here on bold grace with the emphasis on bold at times. I’m just thankful that regardless of where I’m at spiritually Jesus is still Lord of all. I have to admit that at times I seem to have way more questions than answers, but I’ve come to see that its ok. I could list all of the blessings that I enjoy be it my family , my friends and the mere fact that I enjoy good health. I am 52 years of age and have truly lived the good life, although I haven’t always been good. I hope and pray that if my circumstances all changed tomorrow that I would would still be thankful and be able to Trust the Lord. All the best to each of you here at boldgrace, and may the peace of Christ that passes all understanding be with you.
Thanks for sharing Randy. Being thankful may one best things we can do for ourselves and others.
Randy, Never too late to be thankful! You haven’t always been good?? Well you came to the right place – We haven’t either!! But it is very GOOD to hear from you. I hope to get to know you better. – Because he first loved us – Sue