Give thanks | No. 3

Recently, I was in a small group with some youth girls where the theme of the conversation was giving thanks. I heard over and over that "we should be thankful for everything." At first I thought, yes we should. God is so good!

But as that phrase kept playing over and over, I couldn't help but think of my own circumstances. I couldn't help but think of these youth girls and the pain and suffering that they themselves are enduring, even at their young age. Some have lost their parents, some are foster kids, some are struggling with self-image and some are cutting themselves. Am I supposed to be thankful for those circumstances too?

I'm not thankful that a shooter murdered those people in Las Vegas, or that people were killed one day as they were just sitting in church. I'm not thankful that one of my husband's 18-year-old students died the other day.

As I sat in that group, I remembered my baby that went home to be with the Lord, and I am not thankful for that. It hurts. And I don't think I will ever be thankful for it.

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

This verse does not say to give thanks for everything, it says to give thanks in everything.

Though, I am not thankful for losing my baby, I am so thankful for the presence of God. I was so broken and hurt by God for Him taking our baby, but never once did He leave me. He was my ever present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). A comfort of comforts in my time of need.

God is present in our pain. He Himself has said He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

I AM THANKFUL FOR GOD'S PRESENCE.

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This post is part of the Give Thanks Series. You can find the other posts from this series here.

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18