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Thanks for Trials | |
| By Evan D. Baltz, B.S., M.Div | ||
| Ever since I moved to
the south, I have really looked forward to the month of November. Previously living in
Minnesota, it often meant cold, dreary brown days in which one would dread the onslaught
of winter and constant sub-zero temperatures. Not so in the south. The best part of all
that is looking forward to Thanksgiving. Not just because it is a day or two off from
work, but because it is a time to really focus on the act of being thankful. An art form
almost lost in the present day world of "Turkey Day" celebrations and Detroit
Lion and Dallas Cowboy football games. Recently, during a Men's Bible Study, as we began mentioning items to pray for, I suggested that we also look back and truly give thanks for the prayers God had answered. We sometimes get into that mode of only looking for what God is going to do next. We often ignore the many answered prayers and take them for granted. Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:6 that we should "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Giving thanks to God for His answers is an integral part of our prayer life--not just an incidental add-on. The Old Testament is filled with prayers of thanks. The psalmist records his plea's for God's protection, and at the same time thanks Him for His past providence. What things has God provided you which you have perhaps never even considered thanking Him for? If you are like me, there is probably quite a sizable list. It is one thing though to thank God for all the wonderful gifts he gives us. It is another thing altogether to thank him for trials. But truly, as we have learned from James, trials develop our perseverance and mature us as Christians. Surely then we ought to thank God for our trials. But you know what, we often don't. In fact we do just the opposite don't we. We blame God for our trials. We might even on occasion, curse Him for the difficult times. As we go through the month of November, and approach Thanksgiving, let us take a different view on how often and in fact what we are to be thankful for. Make 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 your verses for the month. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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