Give Thanks

We have come to the season when everything from glittering door wreaths to fall-colored napkins remind us to “Give Thanks.” Here we are at the doorstep of Thanksgiving, and I wonder how you all are doing. For some of you this may be your first Thanksgiving with a new diagnosis; it may be the first time you’ve ever had a Thanksgiving meal in a hospital. For others this will be another year making room for a wheelchair around the table, another year of making alterations and adjustments in order to make Thanksgiving “work” for your child. Some of you may be geared up for the holiday—ready to make the best out of whatever pieces you are handed; others may find themselves discouraged. There is always something about holidays that seems to underline heartache—to make it appear more vivid. We can’t help but remember past gatherings, past wholeness. We can’t help but see this year’s sorrows. And yet, we are reminded of the words Give Thanks.

The Command  

You see, it is not just wreaths and napkins that urge us in this pursuit of gratitude. The words originate with God Himself. First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I am sure that many of you, as followers of Jesus Christ, have heard this verse many times. In previous years you may have smiled over it and marveled at its perfect alignment with the season of Thanksgiving. In those days the list may have been long and easy to create.  

But, as you have come to learn, not all years are the same. As you face this Thanksgiving, the command to give thanks may appear to be a tall order. I know some of you find yourselves in the very center of a nightmare. I know some of you are reading this with little sleep and little hope for the future. And yet there are two things that I would like to remind you.

The Setting

The first of these is who wrote this command. Now while the Bible is ultimately the Word of God, we know that God used human instruments to pen the words. This verse that contains the command to give thanks was written by the Apostle Paul. I believe it is often easy for us to overlook the humanness of those God used to write His Word. When Paul was writing the command to the Thessalonians to give thanks in all things, he was writing to a group who had seen him physically run out of town. They were a group who had “followed” his story as we would say. They knew that after leaving their town he had gone to preach in another only to once more be met with further abuse and hostility. They knew the man writing to them was not writing from a place of idealistic indifference. This man once summed up his ministry saying, “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one [whipped thirty-nine times which was the legal limit in Paul’s day]. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three time I was shipwrecked; a night and day I have been the deep [floating on the wreckage of a shipwreck waiting to be rescued], in journeys often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in peril of the Gentile, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the seas, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily; My deep concern for all the churches. Who is not weak, and I am not weak?” 2 Corinthians 11:24-29a.  

To put it lightly, the man who physically penned the phrase, “In everything give thanks” wasn’t writing as he reclined by the side of a crackling fire after feasting on turkey and mashed potatoes. He wasn’t writing about a theory. He was writing with hands that had been bruised, a back that bore scars, a heart that carried sorrow. He knew how dark “in everything” could get. And yet He didn’t question God’s right to give the command. “In everything,” he wrote, “give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” He recognized gratitude as the will of God for every believer in every circumstance. My friends, gratitude is God’s will for you this Thanksgiving. In whatever corner you find yourself—the command reaches you: Give thanks.

Look Around…

The second reminder is about the command itself. Now the truth is, because gratitude is a command of God, we know we can be grateful. God never commands His children to do something without also equipping them to do it. Since He has called you to gratitude, you can be confident that despite the pain, gratitude even for you even in this season, is possible. You can find things in your world for which to give thanks. While it may be difficult to begin, if you are a child of God around you and above you are things for which you are called to give thanks. Do you find yourself in a hospital room? Can you not give thanks for the hospital? Can you not be grateful for the doctors, nurses, kitchen, and cleaning staff who will not forsake their duty but will work to care for your child. Can we not thank God for them? What about the medications your child is receiving—the fruit of years of labor– one scientist building upon the work of another’s with the goal of healing disease and soothing symptoms. Can we not find in our hearts a gratitude to the God who has given such common grace to mankind? Do you have a friend or a family member who thinks of you, who remembers your suffering? Can you give thanks to God for this kindness? Can you be thankful for feeding tubes, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs and seizure pads—signs of illness but also signs of God’s grace. Can you not give thanks? Would you have this day, these moments were they not in place? Look around you—see the evidence of your God’s compassion.  

Look Up…

Then look up! Fellow Christian, remember the God Who sees you. Remember the God Who sits by your side when all the world has gone home. Take hold of the hand that is ever near you and bless it for the steadfast love that will guide you all the days of your life. Give thanks to Your Father. Give thanks to the Son. Remember His sacrifice for you. For you there will never be a day of judgment. For you there will be a heaven most glorious. Child of God, these days may be torment after torment, but because of Christ you will one day know rest. Can you be thankful for this? Give thanks for the Holy Spirit—the One Who dwells even now inside of you, ready to comfort, strengthen and keep you. It is His voice that sings songs in the night. It is He Who both guards and leads you. Remember the promises in God’s Word. Remember the promise that all things—all things—will be worked together for good. Your story—with every rocky edge and jagged slope— is moving towards a good conclusion. Your Father will not fail you. His hand rests upon you—the pain, the exhaustion, it is working in you, transforming and preparing you for “exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Can you not take heart at these promises and give thanks? Yes, you are in the midst of the storm—you cannot see the direction of the ship. Yet the Captain gives you His promise. There is good coming of which you know not of. Believe Him though you cannot yet see it, and give thanks.  

Give Thanks

This year, you may be facing a Thanksgiving like you have never experienced before, but God’s will for you remains the same. My friend, give thanks. Cry out for eyes to see and to comprehend the hand of God upon your life. Look around. Look up. In everything, this year, give thanks.

‍