“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18

Thirty-two years ago I was a defeated young man with a bad case of the blues.

Only a year out of seminary I found myself on the receiving end of the fury of several people in the church who wanted me hung from the nearest tree. Suddenly, I was faced with the reality that my short career in full time church ministry was about to come to an dramatic and painful conclusion. Amid the devastating personal attacks two men—Bob Frederich, the senior pastor, and Ben Brown, the chairman of the Board—were determined not to let me become another needless casualty. These godly men would not let me wallow in self-pity or defeat. They knew there were lessons to be learned and that if I received this painful experience with gratitude, God could turn the blues into blessings for my life and future ministry.

From these two men I learned the truth of Psalm 119:71 – “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees.” In this time of affliction two wise mentors helped me learn important lessons about myself and God’s grace that made it possible for God to use me in fruitful pastoral ministry for 17 years. In the midst of this affliction, I discovered the power of being thankful “in all circumstances”.

Thanksgiving has always been a wonderful time to give thanks for all of God’s blessings. Perhaps this Thanksgiving we might also stop to express our gratitude for the hard times—the afflictions that come into all of ours lives. What a powerful experience it could be for our grandchildren to hear Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa express thanks to God for the difficult circumstances of our lives and the valuable lessons they teach us!

This Thanksgiving, take time around the table to give thanks, not only for the joyful blessings of God this past year, but also for those things that sometimes do not seem like blessings. This is the kind of thanksgiving that cures the blues and expresses the will of God.

GRANDPAUSE: “A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don’t warrant giving thanks.” –Charles Stanley