“I've had many tears and sorrows / I've had questions for tomorrow / There's been times I didn't know right from wrong / But in every situation / God gave me blessed consolation / that my trials come to only make me strong.
Through it all / through it all / I've learned to trust in Jesus / I've learned to trust in God. / Through it all / through it all / I've learned to depend upon His Word.”
Andrae wrote that song based on the struggles and wins in his own life. John Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” based on his spiritual conversion after having been a slave trader. And, Horatio Spafford wrote “It is Well with My Soul” after the death of his son and subsequently the loss of his four daughters when their ship sank. Horrific struggles in life often produce some of the greatest masterpieces of our lives. As I think about my own life’s struggles – there is an unexplainable thread of peace woven throughout my story and I’m sure, if alive, those authors of some of the most renown songs ever written would tell us the same thing. A powerful peace was prevalent that centered them in the awareness of God’s presence.
The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person – no matter what! Thankful people have created a habit of noticing, pausing and choosing. Noticing “something” to be thankful about no matter the circumstance. Pausing to acknowledge this “something” as a reminder of God’s presence. Choosing to focus on God’s presence until His powerful peace consumes us. I know this “season” has given us plenty of reasons to be in fear, concern, disappointment and angst about what the future holds. But, will we come through this time unscathed because we’ve been noticers? Pausers? Choosers? Were we people of thanksgiving no matter what the circumstances were?
The greatest examples of the power of thanksgiving are found in sacred scriptures. What was the prayer of Daniel right before being thrown into the lions’ den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion’s mouths? Thanksgiving. After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah’s heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving. What was St. Paul’s mode of operation in the prison cell and how did he instruct us to pray in Philippians 4:6? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God."
And what was the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving was proclaimed? Peace -- powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace. Paul went on to write: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).
I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances to notice, pause and choose something to be thankful about today. Let’s pray about it!
Dear Lord, will You help me notice things that I can be thankful for in each circumstance I face today? To remember to pause and acknowledge it as evidence of Your presence? And please help me choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly. Thank You for the reality that being thankful changes everything. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
