Learning to be thankful in all circumstances? Why do we need to learn to be thankful? Shouldn’t thankfulness be as natural to us as breathing? I believe thankfulness comes from a heart that knows and loves God. I know God and I love God but I am not always thankful. How about you? This I am learning, God puts us in places tailor made just for you and just for me to teach us thankfulness and to grow our faith in Him. I do not know about you but I will not deliberately put myself in an uncomfortable situation. We should be Thankful that God does that for us!
What is Your present Circumstance?
Where do you find yourself today? Are you in a place of contentment and thankfulness? Or are you struggling to be thankful? I am not going to tell you to pull yourself up by your boot straps and get over it but I am going to encourage you to mourn over it and wrestle with it until God brings you through it. I also want you to know you are not alone in your struggle. Today, I am struggling with you.
The apostle Paul also found himself in many different circumstances some pleasant and some not so. Look at his words in Philippians 4:11-12.:
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along in humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
Learning the Secret
There is one thing Paul says in this passage that is key to living a contented life. He refers to it as a secret. Do you want to know 
what that secret is? If we back up a bit in this passage this is what he says in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!” Do you see it yet? Paul says to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. In good times and in bad times always rejoice in the Lord. Be thankful, be content knowing that your heavenly Father knows what is best for you. Paul repeats himself. I need to be reminded and you need to be reminded. So as long as it is called today let’s remind each other to be thankful!
Let’s Rejoice Today!
Believers are being sanctified in Christ Jesus. God is putting us in different circumstances to teach and train us for life and godliness. What is He teaching you today? What do you have to rejoice in? I will start:)
God has me in the refining fire today. I am struggling in my walk with Christ. But I am learning to be thankful because I know He loves me, He knows what I need more than I do. I am thankful and rejoicing in the learning!
Latest posts by Lisa Morris (see all)
- Learning to be Thankful in All Circumstances - November 24, 2016
- Why Do We Study Everything But the Bible for Bible Study? - October 20, 2016
- Why Won’t You Let Me Comfort You With Scripture? - September 22, 2016
Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving (belated!).
Be ever grateful and give thanks regardless of where we find ourselves. Not necessary thankful FOR the problems, but praising God as we go through the difficulties.