in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
always giving thanks to God the Father for all things
Ephesians 5:20
Elisabeth Elliott, in her many writings and talks, repeatedly expresses the idea that as Christians, we are in God’s hands, and He has said that He will give us everything we need.
“God has promised to supply our needs. What we don’t have now we don’t need now.”
Elisabeth Elliot, The Path of Loneliness: Finding Your Way Through the Wilderness to God
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19
31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:31-34
Further, Elisabeth speaks about being thankful for “the gift of widowhood,” “the gift of singleness,” and “the gift of marriage,” referring to all of these states as gifts from God. More than that, Elisabeth refers to all the conditions in our lives as gifts.
Corrie ten Boom relates in her book, The Hiding Place, a conversation between her and her sister, Betsie, over the content of Ephesians 5:20.
“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.”
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
I notice the last part of what Betsie said – “this place where God has put us.” I notice that with these more modern heroes of the faith, there is an awareness that when we are in difficult, maybe unimaginably bad circumstances, if we are HIS, we are where HE put us.
Is my heart so resolutely trustful in God’s sovereignty over my life that I will consider disaster in my life to be part of HIS plan for me, a gift to me, and to thank HIM for it? Oh Lord, I pray it is. I pray you help me to keep my heart softly trusting You in each and every happening, difficult or pleasant. Lord, please help me to surrender each tender and hard part of my heart to YOUR strong, sure, and loving hand, without holding back.
Originally posted February 4, 2024, on Facebook
