“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19,20)
Gratefulness is a key component of one’s spiritual health. It is a wonderful shield against bitterness, envy, and self-pity. In the face of pain and disappointment, it can keep us from sorrow that would spiral into depression. Gratefulness fosters joy and “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” (Prov. 17:22)
Some have so much to be thankful for, but offer so little thanks – not to man or to God. They have no song in the day, let alone a song in the night. Others have more than their share of heartache, and yet have learned how to “in every thing give thanks” (1 Thes. 5:18) Some know to give thanks IN spite of what’s happening, but not FOR every situation. Who in their right mind would give thanks FOR a grim diagnosis, a tragic loss, or a season of suffering and pain? Only those who “know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)
This is the edge in life that God has given His elect. No event that befalls them need be wasted. The greater the trial, the greater the gold to be gained. And there is no need to wonder what good can be brought out of it. The gold is conformity to the Son – to where we know Him in the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, and conformity to His death. This IS the very purpose for which we are in Christ Jesus.
Is our heart fixed and determined that we WILL give God thanks always FOR all things? If it is we will be “more than conquerors” in this life. We will always be winning, even when it looks like we’re losing. There will never be a moment of our life in which we cannot be grateful.