Be joyful always

There have been times when I've asked God "Why?", "Why do I have to go through this?", "Why me?" But a while ago when I was in one of those situations, I started thinking about the numerous speeches I've heard about being thankful in every situation. It's easy to be thankful when everything is going great, but how can you be thankful when you think that there is no way out of this situation? I wanted to understand the true meaning of thankfulness in every situation, and so I browsed through the Bible to find out what it says about it. This is what I learned and what thoughts came to my mind. (I'm using the NIV.)


First of all, does the Bible really tell us to be thankful? Here's a passage that makes it quite clear:


Colossians 2:6-7
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."


So we should "overflow with thankfulness". Seems quite a lot when it's one of those days when you want to give up trying because it seems that it's no use anyway. You could also ask that "does the Bible really tell us to be thankful in those difficult situations as well?" Here's an answer to that question:


Colossians 3:15-17
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."


So "whatever you do". There's no question, it means the hard times just as the easy ones. But then you could say that "Well, it's easy for you to say. You haven't experienced half the troubles I have". That may be true. But it doesn't mean that you should not be thankful. Think about Jonah. When he had been swallowed by the fish, he was thankful! Look at this passage:


Jonah 2:9
"But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord."


I can imagine that Jonah didn't feel very thankful, but he still chose to thank God. And I believe that God will help you in your situation, whatever it may be, if you only choose to thank him. Look what happened after Jonah's prayer:


Jonah 2:10
"And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."


So the Lord saw Jonah's situation, and helped him. However, you may wonder what we should thank about. Well, there are always things you can be thankful about, for example family and friends etc. But the one thing that should make us most thankful is the future we have when we walk with Jesus:


Hebrews 12:28
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe"


So we all have a share in this wonderful kingdom! Independent of our situation now, and whether we're rich or poor, we are receiving the kingdom. And there's even more to thankfulness, it really makes a difference:


Philippians 4:4-7
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


So we should not be anxious about anything, because when we choose to thank God and pray to him, he will guard our hearts and minds. For me that sounds like a really safe place to be. Guarded by God himself.


For me, I've found that in those difficult situations there is always a way I can thank God: If I feel I can't do anything else, I can always sing a song of praise or just say silently in my mind "thank you God". And I feel that every time I choose to thank God it becomes easier to thank him. And the best thing is that when you choose to thank him, he will give you a thankful heart! To sum up, I hope that the following passage will be a blessing in your day today and everyday, be it a difficult or easy one:  


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."