Being Thankful for all Things

“Thank you for our homes. Thank you for safety and that we do not fear persecution. Thank you for the ability to work and earn a living and for this good land that you give us”.

I have heard some version of that prayer for as long as I can remember.

I am all for recognising where our blessings come from and being thankful. After all, James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above”. You are not the source of the good things in your life. I completely agree with that idea.

However, I have begun to wonder what these words say to someone who is feeling abandoned instead of blessed? What do they say to those who do not have a job or a happy home? More importantly, what does this prayer about those situations?

If you listen to the things that North Americans say, it would be easy to surmise that God’s blessing and “the good life” are the same thing. “You have a big house, three cars and a boat? Well, God has certainly blessed you!”

In my experience, though, some of my best blessings have come through the worst times. Bad times led to a lot more personal and spiritual growth than good times ever did. Situations that I never would have chosen have sometimes been the best thing for me.

We see this in scripture as well. In the first few chapters of Acts, the church grows a little. Then, when the church in Jerusalem is persecuted and its followers are forced to leave the city, the message goes with them and spreads to the entire known world (Acts 8). Something that could have broken the newly formed people of God, actually led to their growth and strengthening.

To be clear, I like the good times as much as anyone and I am not wishing for tragedy in my life. However, I know that when tragedy comes, blessings will come too. In fact, God does some of his best work when things seem to be the worst.

As Psalm 34 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (verse 18).

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