Radical Gratitude

Forgive me for not having all my bible references handy. I am writing this blog post from work because yesterday seemed to get away from me. However, the message from church stuck with me because it is something we all need to practice.

God calls us to be thankful in all circumstances:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Please note that says that we are to be thankful in all circumstances, not for them. This is something that couldn't be more clear to me. When my mom died, I was (still am a little) mad. It isn't fair for God to take her when I still needed her. Now, looking back, I know there are reasons for what he did, things to be thankful for in the midst of that horrible situation. Because of my mom's death, I have a closer relationship with both my dad and my sister. I'm not positive that would have happened with mom still alive. So, in spite of the horrible loss I faced, I can look at it with gratitude because not only is she celebrating with Jesus right now, but I am closer to the family I have left.

Radical gratitude requires us to change the way that we look at things. Each day we need to make the conscious decision to be thankful for things, not complain about them.

Let me share the example my pastor shared. This is an excerpt from her book The Hiding Place. Taken from this website.

When they were moved to Barracks 28, Corrie was horrified by the fact that their reeking, straw-bed platforms swarmed with fleas. How could they live in such a place?

It was Betsie who discovered God's answer:

"'"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." That's it, Corrie! That's His answer. "Give thanks in all circumstances!" That's what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!'

"I stared at her; then around me at the dark, foul-aired room…"

They thanked God for the fact they were together. They thanked God they had a Bible. They even thanked God for the horrible crowds of prisoners, that more people would be able to hear God's Word. And then, Betsie thanked God for the fleas.

"The fleas! This was too much. 'Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.'

"'"Give thanks in all circumstances,"' she quoted. 'It doesn't say, "in pleasant circumstances." Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.'

"And so we stood between tiers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong."

Now that is radical gratitude! 

What fleas are there in my life that I can be thankful for?