By F. D. Adkins
Surrounded by a paradise of plenty, Eve’s thoughts turned to the one thing she could not have.
A rescue from slavery, an escape on dry land through the middle of a sea, and daily bread delivered to their doorstep each morning were all forgotten in the blink of an eye. At the first sign of difficulty, the Israelites would turn from grateful to hateful.
Paul, after being beaten, sang praises to God as he sat chained in a prison cell. Paul also wrote these words while imprisoned. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice…. for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:4, 11-13 KJV).
So, as Thanksgiving approaches, the question I ask myself is, “Which of these characterizations best describes me?” Am I thankful in the hard times, or do I grumble at the least little stumble?
In the middle of a storm that leaves a trail of broken branches, it is not always easy to have a sincere and grateful heart. Yet, Paul, who must have been in severe pain after just having been beaten, sang praises. How is it possible to have this kind of gratitude… to keep this kind of mindset in the midst of hardship? Paul explains in Philippians 4:8 (KJV), “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Eve’s focus drifted from the bounty of blessings around her to one tree she was not supposed to eat from. Fruit galore was there for her taking, but she failed to ponder on that.
The Israelites seemed to have a continuous battle with amnesia. Despite the many miracles God had performed to save them, they had tunnel vision when it came to their comfort.
Yet, Paul said in Philippians 1:21 (KJV), “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul’s eyes were on the finish line.
Each day, we have a choice. We can choose to be grateful, or we can choose to be hateful. We can choose to forget what God has done and whine about the present situation… OR… we can choose to remember all that God has given. If we choose to think of the cross and the unconditional love of a Savior who suffered and died to save us from eternal torment, how can we not be grateful?
You know, even in the worst of times, you can look up to God and find JOY in it all. Thank the Lord for the good in all the bad. It’s there, you just have to search a little harder for it. It’s so much easier to be thankful than to hold a grudge and let it fester. You might say that I haven’t been through what you have that’s causing you to be hateful. I am sure I haven’t. However, I have lived a great deal of my life in a living hell. Being hateful is only hurting you. Trusting in the Lord, finding JOY and being thankful feels so much better!!