A Lifestyle of Thanksgiving

I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet. ~Mahatma Gandhi

  In times of overwhelming sadness, we must all find ways to cope that are constructive as well as doable. The idea of shouldering one more burden, or task, or responsibility is daunting to individuals who are expending tremendous energy just to “keep it together.”  

Yet, one of the more important ways I found to help cope with devastating loss is by cultivating an attitude of thankfulness. Those who are in the throes of acute grief might consider this an unfair requirement. It may resemble an impossible task, because it runs counter to everything we may be thinking and feeling. 

At certain points in our grief journeys many of us, even those with strong faith, have difficulty seeing any good in our situations. Getting out of bed is tough enough. But being thankful?!

That difficulty is the crux of the matter articulated in Hebrews 13:15. It clearly states that an attitude of thankfulness involves sacrifice. It reads: “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.” 

The prophet Habakkuk in vs 3:17-18 offers the same advice even while describing the desolation of having nothing: “Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” 

How could God be so heartless as to require us to remain thankful no matter what? We may wonder what rationale could possibly exist for a spiritual exercise that seems so counterintuitive. We may question what benefit can be gained from applying this truth.

Arguably the most important rationale is found in Hebrews 13:12, “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood.” This verse points to the sacrifice of Jesus as the most significant reason for our continued adoration of Him. His was the ultimate sacrifice. Indeed, where would we be without our Savior who was so willing to offer Himself without reservation? If nothing else good were ever to happen in our lives again, God sending Jesus to purchase our salvation would be more than sufficient reason for us to thank Him for all eternity.