give THanks (no MaTTer what)

It came as a gift....3 pieces of wood saying, "give" ; "THanks" ; "{no MaTTer what}".  It came as a set....all of the pieces belong together. The 3 phrases belong together. This gift looks great in my kitchen, but just think how great it would look in my character! Easier said than done!  That's why I chose to start a blog, because it's easier to say "thank you", than it is to live in constant gratitude. Maybe if I purposefully document ways that I am thankful for God's presence in my life, I will begin to live as such!

I see and hear the words, "give thanks" and have no problem with it.....it's the "no matter what" that gives me trouble!  It's downright difficult to give thanks in times of fear and sorrow....but isn't that the point?  I mean, 1Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  We are giving thanks IN all things, not for all things.  Sure, I give thanks for things, but what about the things that happen that are not so good?  We don't thank God for the bad things themselves, because bad things don't come from God. We thank God for His presence in those circumstances, and we thank Him for the good that He will accomplish through them. 

 Understanding this truth has caused an entire shift in my thinking!   It's also caused an entire shift in how I look at God, and how I look at the world around me.  It's been so comforting to know that I CAN give thanks in all things because I CAN count on God to somehow bring good from them, even though I do not understand. And it's also caused me to seek out the good in things, rather than focusing on the problems. Having a thankful heart results in that deep kind of joy...not superficial, fleeting happiness...but that deep joy that comes from knowing God's faithfulness in all of our circumstances.

So.....I intend to set my heart and mind on the ways that I can thank God and share them with whoever chooses to listen! And I invite you to send your own words of gratitude as well.  Together, we can glorify the gracious Lord of our lives!