When I fail to give thanks, it often means I am looking at the things of this world and what is going wrong around me rather than what the Lord has done for me. God’s Word is clear that the Lord came not only to save His children from their sin but also to do much more. Not only do we, as children of God, gain salvation through what Jesus did on the cross for our sins, but we also gain access to a relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are grafted in through adoption (Romans 11:17-18). Heaven becomes our home, not hell! Thank you, Lord!
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. Romans 11:17-18
But heaven is not ALL we gain. We access His mercy, grace, love, guidance, and protection all through His Word—Jesus! This, however, does not mean all things on earth will fall into place. Nope. In fact, we can often be assured that, because we live in a fallen world, we will experience all types of trials and tribulations.
Despite all our challenges, we have hope and peace knowing that our Heavenly Father never leaves or forsakes us. Our challenges, as children of God, are in His hands, and while things may appear to be futile, all work for our benefit and His glory.
So, when I fail to give thanks, it often means that I’m focused more on the circumstances than on what God has already done for me and where I’m going. First, my destination is Heaven. Second, whatever I face, I have peace knowing that my Father in Heaven is working on my behalf for an outcome that is for my good and His glory.
If I fail to give thanks because my cup seems to be half full, what I have forgotten is that because of Jesus, my cup is actually full and overflowing. Psalm 23:5 reminds us “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. When we turn our attention from what we don’t have to what we have in Christ, our failed thanks turns into overflowing thanks. Thank you, Lord, for all you have done—not just in the valleys of my challenges but also on the mountaintops of victory!
Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving,
Stephen L. Thomas
RTM Founder