in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
In everything…..
Last week, Cultivating Thanksgiving gave some examples of thanksgiving during the issues of routine living. Those steps are useful, but what about giving God thanks in disasters?
What if you lost family and friends, your home, all your possessions, power and/or water during Milton and Helene? What if a loved one rejected you, betrayed you, abandoned you? What if you or a loved one became seriously ill or injured? What if something totally (and big) unfair happened … What if … What if …
It’s helpful if you—if I—become habitually thankful to God during the routine difficulties of life. We then are better equipped to have an attitude of gratitude when catastrophes happen.
Giving God thanks in disasters requires knowing who God is and who you are to Him.*
Remind yourself: God is sovereign over everything and everybody all the time (including the disaster you are in). God, for His own holy purposes, allowed this to happen. He has a purpose for you right here and now. God loves you so much His gave His Son to die for you that you might live. Christ will never leave you or forsake you. The Holy Spirit dwells in you, guiding you to all truth.
Thank God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for His glory, His almighty greatness, His lovingkindness, His justice, His holy plan. Thank God that disasters are calls to repentance and that some will be saved during that time. Thank God that He is urging you to lean on Him.
Thank Him for those responding to medical issues, for people working to restore power and water, for people clearing the roads, building temporary bridges, for the resources you have to move forward (regardless of your disaster).
Thank Him that He is with you and guiding you. Thank Him that you have the opportunity to demonstrate your faith, glorifying Him. Thank Him that you have the opportunity to tell others about Him (did you notice after 9/11 how open people were to hear about Christ?). Thank Him that you have the opportunity to serve others, demonstrating your faith in Almighty God.
Thank God that He is using this disaster to perfect you, making you into the image of His Son. Thank Him that obedience brings joy. Thank Him that hope is in Him. Thank Him that He is strengthening your endurance. Thank Him that He is increasing your trust in Him.
This isn’t easy, we’ll have to “dig deep,” but it is the path of righteousness. Thank You, Father, that You will help us.
Press on.
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- This post is for believers, those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior. (See Becoming a Child of God)
