A Thanksgiving Article
As Thanksgiving approaches, many people are talking about what to give thanks about. It is common to hear a lot of people post something that they are thankful for each day in the month of November leading up to Thanksgiving Day.
Most of the time the thanks that people talk about are their family, children, jobs, church, God, salvation, health, spouse, where they live, things that they have and other such things. While all of these are great to be thankful for, one thing that many people miss is giving God thanks for trouble or suffering.
The first verse to look at is: In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.NKJV This means we are to give thanks for everything–good and bad, suffering and blessing.
Paul also tells us in Romans 5:3-5, NKJV and not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Tribulation or suffering or trouble ultimately produces hope in God, which will never disappoint.
Yes, it is painful to go through suffering and I don’t want anyone to have to go through it. However, as Thanksgiving approaches, remember to give God thanks for the tribulations, troubles and suffering you have had to bear in this past year. God can use all of it for your good and His glory if you allow Him to do so. And it will also blow the mind of the world when they hear you giving thanks for difficult times. It will also encourage your children and grandchildren to have the right perspective in difficult situations in their own lives–that God is in control and only gives what is in our best interest for eternity.
What are you giving God thanks for this year?
Tom Arn is happily married to his wife of 31 wonderful years. He is the proud father of two wonderful daughters and six wonderful sons, aging from 7-28. Three are now married and he has one fun grandson. He finds great joy in being with his family and serving in the church as much as possible. Several of his children are very active in ministry in the church, all starting when they were in high school. Tom did 16 years between the Army National Guard and the Army, allowing him to travel around the country and the world and be a part of Desert Storm. In the past he has been a teacher, a children’s pastor and a senior pastor. He currently serves as a deacon and the adult Sunday School Teacher in his church, while working a full time job to provide for his family. Since 2014, Tom has been writing a daily devotional blog going through the entire Bible chapter by chapter. This blog can be found at: Insights From Tom. His blog also includes a daily verse, a weekly Give Thanks verse, a weekly Memory Verse, and Book and Movie Reviews. He is currently in the process of writing a devotional book.
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