“Congratulations on your miracle!”
These words from a friend’s doctor brought great rejoicing. That doctor had told my friend it would be a miracle if she got pregnant. And now she was pregnant.
Her response: “Thank You, Lord. Thank You so much!!”
It’s easy and natural to thank God when the news is what we want.
But it is not so easy for a 13-year-old boy I know. He struggled through a year of chemo for a spinal cord cancer. After three years cancer free, he just discovered it has returned. How does he say “Thank You, Lord”?
Another friend has buried 2 loved ones in the past year. Saying “Thank You, Lord” has not been easy.
Other friends, for whose prodigal we have prayed, recently called to say their child took her own life. “Thank You, Lord?”
We know the verses:
“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation…with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
In all circumstances, in every situation: Give thanks.
Easy to do when the news is good. So challenging when the news is not what we want to hear.
How can God ask such a thing? What kind of impossible requirement is that?
The answer is: God is God and God is good.
Sounds simple, glib, out of touch with reality.
But it is true. I know it because God says it. And I have proved it. Over a (now long) lifetime, I have seen it true over and over.
In fact, I have found those two words—Thank You—spoken to God are the key to amazing changes:
God seems bigger. He isn’t bigger–He is already the biggest. But He grows in my understanding and perspective. I begin to grasp that He truly is God—in control of the universe and my life—and He truly is always looking for ways to do good to me.
My heart changes. The fear, anger, confusion lessen and peace begins to grow.
Doors open. The key that is “Thank You” opens my heart and mind to see good that God is doing, to recognize opportunities, to trust God’s love and goodness at a much deeper level.
For years I have practiced saying “Thank You, Lord.” Now, when little or big challenges come, my first response is almost always “Thank You, Lord.” Almost always. Still not easy. But oh how it protects and encourages and frees my heart and my mind.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)
What about you? What has challenged your willingness to say “Thank You, Lord”?
C2012 Judy Douglass
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“Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts.”….Andrew Murray, The Prayer Life
So true, Martha.
You’ve written another amazing post that couldn’t be easy to write, and surely isn’t easy to live, but oh-so-right-on and so inspirational for those who read it. I’ll put a link to this on my memoir blog’s Facebook Page for others to draw inspiration from.
Bless you,
Linda
You are so encouraging, Linda.
This post has such meaning to me. After 3 years of being cancer free, I’ve just discovered the cancer has reappeared in my bones. I’m part of a large prayer chain and that gives me strength, but honestly I never thought about saying “thank you” to God. But after reading your post, I realize in the past several weeks since receiving this news, it has brought as many blessings to me as it has given me reasons to be fearful and sad. So I need to also say thank you to you for the new perspective.
Cathy, it has been transforming for me. And I’ve needed to practice it lately.
Cathy, I’m so very sorry to hear your cancer has reappeared. I will keep you in my prayers. Keep in touch.
Linda
I have thought about this post pretty much all day. You surely know how to push the boundaries a little don’t you Miss Judy? Challenge my willingness to say ‘thank you’…addictive behaviors challenge me. So many people are injured when one person gets stuck in the cycle. You know all of the hurt and fallout from someone else’s poor choices cannot be God’s best, but you also know that God is with you in the midst of all of it. You thank Him for His presence above everything else, for His power and His grace and remember that the world is a shelf for broken and repaired items. And then the small moments of clarity and focus are treasures. God in good.
This has been a key in my life of trust, Beth.
Judy, right after posting my previous comment and saying a genuine prayer of thanksgiving, my doctor called to say that the biopsy showed fewer cancer cells in the bones than she feared and it’s the slow-growing estrogen positive cancer I had before. She told me it’s very controllable with a new drug she highly recommends that involves a shot once a month and said she has a patient with the same diagnosis who has had the cancer go into remission after 2 years. I feel amazed and transformed from gloom to hope and will never forget this admonition to always give thanks!
How wonderful & thankful
Rejoicing with you, Cathy.
This is so inspirational ,THANK YOU LORD ,at all times just gives your heart and mind the inner peace ,and make you to know it is well even when things seem so difficult THANK YOU LORD…
Choosing to thank Him today.