Nov
16
In everything give thanks
Filed Under Christian Living, Tragedy
In the past I’ve shared (with permission) some of the thoughts of Buddy Wood, brother-in-law of one of our FPC members, as he grows in grace while being treated for multiple brain tumors. Last week Buddy, who lives in Maryland, underwent gamma knife surgery to deal with lesions on his brain. All went well, and I wanted to pass along to you some of his thoughts about suffering and thankfulness:
GLIMPSE INTO THE GARRISON (#71): Thanksgiving is overflowing inside the garrison these days and, given the season, perhaps it is a good time to share some recent thoughts about thanksgiving.
First, it is God’s will that I thank Him in everything:
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
This is a pretty straightforward statement of God’s will for Buddy. Certainly it would be good to “just do it” (i.e. give thanks) and press on.
But sometimes I don’t feel thankful. Life-threatening disease can feel like an emotional roller coaster ride of ups and downs, good scans and bad scans, good labs and bad labs, successful and unsuccessful surgeries and procedures. My natural tendency is to give thanks for the good things and complain about the rest.
Would it be hypocritical to give thanks when I am not really thankful?
Notice the phrase “in everything”. I understand this phrase to indicate broad context or sphere of occurrence. In other words, in the context of everything or all things, give thanks. The broad view presents a powerful perspective that gets beyond the dynamics of daily circumstances. What would the broad context look like?
The broadest possible context would be God’s magnificent character, goodness and kindness. Getting the focus off of me and getting focused on Him creates an natural overflow of thanksgiving out of my heart.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15)
Remember the objective to glory God somehow in this experience? The natural overflow of thanksgiving is a part of getting there.
John Piper puts it this way:
“Gratitude honors God. Gratitude is the echo of grace as it reverberates through the hollows of the human heart. Gratitude is the unashamed acceptance of a free gift and the heartfelt declaration that we cherish what we cannot buy. Therefore gratitude glorifies the free grace of God and signifies the humility of a needy and receptive heart.” (Proud People Don’t Say Thanks, Sermon, 11/20/83)
I must recognize the obvious fact that God has been extraordinarily gracious to me during this season and most of my medical results have turned out great. But even then, limiting my focus to the good things I have received is an unnecessarily narrow focus. It must all come back to Him - the one who is absolutely packed with Glory.
Second, there is a strong connection to thanksgiving in the garrison verses, Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [garrison] your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The phrase “WITH THANKSGIVING” suggests that our specific requests are to be made in association with thanksgiving.
Third, thanksgiving has been described as a spiritual thermometer that reflects our spiritual health. When we are thankful it is a good sign that our spiritual lives are in tune and that we have the broad view. Conversely, loss of thanksgiving is a warning sign that we are slipping down the slippery slope to debauchery, as described in Romans: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”(Romans 1:20-21)
I want to be thankful. I will give thanks.
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