Ephesians 5:20 Give Thanks For All Things

Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.

There is a lie that Christians like to tell each other: "We're to give thanks in everything, but not for everything." As today's scripture makes clear, that is a load of codswallop.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. Even people of the world are thankful for good things. It's easy to adopt the attitude, "the good things in life are from God, and the bad things in life are...from where? Satan, the fallen world, circumstance, randomness?

I believe that Satan is real, but he doesn't have any power over me. I live in a fallen world, but Jesus is Lord of all things.

I don't believe that God spins a cosmic wheel of fortune, then sits back and lets the pieces fall where they may. No, I trust that God is actively involved in every aspect of my life. Jesus said, "“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." [Matthew 10:29-31 NASB]

It takes faith to thank God for all things, because not all things are pleasant, and we don't always understand His purpose.

A couple of years ago I almost died from a lung infection. The treatment destroyed my kidneys. I am currently on dialysis and waiting for a transplant.

In that moment, I chose to praise and worship my God. The drugs that they were giving me to fight the infection were playing tricks with my mind, but in a moment of lucidity, I asked my wife to play Christian worship music for me. When I chose to praise Him, the mental effects of the drugs went away. Clarity of thought came through worship.

To this day, I can't say that I understand all of God's purposes in allowing me to go through this. I am still going through it, looking forward to more years (potentially) of dialysis, a transplant surgery, and a lifetime regimen of anti-rejection medicines. 

And I thank God for it all. I know that He does have a purpose, even if I can't see it. 

Through it all, I have drawn closer to God than I ever thought possible. I have a fresh perspective on life and death. I know that when the time comes for Him to take me home, I am more than ready to go. While raising funds to pay for the transplant, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity of people; not only of friends, but also of complete strangers. In it all, I have seen God's provision. I have never had a lot of money, and medical expenses can be devastating, but God has somehow made a way. I see His hand in it all.

I thank God for it all.