Is there any disagreement on whether or not 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is one of the toughest commands to obey in the whole Bible? I mean look what it says: ‘in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’.
In everything.
Not just the stuff that makes me happy and makes my life easier. Everything.
With that being said, I really do want to be thankful. I don’t want to be ungrateful. I want God to get glory because of my attitude, but to be honest, there are a couple things that I didn’t want to be thankful for recently.
Difficult People and Unpleasant Circumstances
2016 was a tough year for me. 2017 was even worse. 2018 didn’t get any better. Then there was 2019, more of the same. Do I need to even go into detail on 2020 with the pandemic, lockdowns, face masks, the presidential election and the stresses of a huge family move to a different town? It’s been brutal.
In the last five years, there were numerous people that made my life a living hell. I wasn’t ready for the relentless assaults from people I thought were my friends. And all this happened during the same time that I was dealing with the long and arduous process of my dying father. The emotional toll was enormous. “God… why are you putting me through this?”, was my constant question. “I am trying to honor You, and this is what you’re putting me through? I don’t understand.” The desert was hot and dry. The wilderness was rocky and tiresome.
But this is where recognizing the God’s hand of providence comes in. At the time, it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to understand the reasons why we go through certain trials. But looking back over time, seeing where we were and then seeing where we are now, it becomes abundantly clear how God was using those difficult people and working through those unpleasant circumstances.
I see a direct relationship to what has happened in these five years and the person I’ve been shaped into. And for that, I have no other response than to be thankful.
Where I once was fearful, God has given me courage.
Where I once was timid, God has given me boldness.
Where I once was doubful, God has provided assurance.
Where I once suffered from discouragement, God not only encouraged me, but caused me to be intentional in encouraging others.
Where I once would have waffled between two opinions, God has made me decisive.
Where I once was a people pleaser, God showed me what a God pleaser looks like.
Where I once was weak, God made me strong in that weakness, setting my feet firmly upon the stable Rock of Christ Jesus.
Where I once was becoming increasingly pessimistic, God showed me that there is hope.
These are just the tip of the iceberg of the pruning that has been going on in my life these last few years. Seeing what God is using in my refining process is something good to behold. I realize that whatever it takes to conform us into the image of Christ is something to be thankful for.
Establish my footsteps in Your Word ~ Psalm 119:133 