This Thanksgiving, I’m trying to rate my thanks-giving. I’m thinking there are levels of difficulty here. The greater the difficulty in giving thanks, the greater the freedom and spiritual/emotional reward. Are not the happiest people the most thankful? The inverse is true, the unhappiest people complain the most. So consider four levels of thanks-giving:
4) Thanking “my team” and my hard work.
Watch the interviews at the end of football games. For some, God is not even in their picture. “We’ve been working very hard …” Then what happens when we lose? Blame game.
3) Thanking God as the source of all good things.
James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” This is great obviously, as it identifies the Lord as the source of ALL good things.” Still, it necessitates good things and good times. What about those hard times?
2) Thanking God in hard times.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” During my Stage IV cancer battle, I cycled in and out of this level. This is hard, yet so freeing, but there is a higher level.
1) Thanking God FOR hard times!
Ephesians 5:20 – “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father.”
This necessitates believing a good God permits everything in our lives including the hard times. Do you believe that?
Father, the highest level of thanks-giving is impossible without your power and help. Help us grow in seeing things from your perspective!
What I am most thankful for – God sent Jesus to die for my sin though I deserve eternal hell.
