A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Handford
A bestseller by Kate Bowler bears the title, “Everything Happens for a Reason: and Other Lies I’ve Loved.” The title and the book imply that Romans 8:28 is a lie, a comforting lie, but still a blatant lie. Romans 8:28 does say, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.” If the author’s thesis were true (and it is not true, thank God!) then you might feel you have no reason to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. The circumstances most of us live in this year are not just uncertain, they have some frightening aspects. But if you “love God,” then Scriptures affirm you can rest in the reality of a holy God who loves you, who plans the best for you, who will “work together” the inevitable and terrible stresses of our lives for our ultimate good. God makes absolutely no promise that you will live a stress-free life.
Many godly saints have suffered persecution and death because of their faith. In fact, Jesus warned us in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” That’s why we can celebrate this Thanksgiving with joy and peace despite our circumstances:
“In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks? When I can hardly pay my bills? When my spouse has stage-four cancer? When my best friend suddenly unfriended me? When my child is out there somewhere, trapped in a cold world of drugs? When World War III might explode any moment?
Yes, “give thanks in everything.” Why? “For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Your almighty God is still sovereign. He rules over all things. Whatever the circumstances of your life, He wants you to trust Him, to thank Him for His protection, to obey Him when you can’t see a way out. In everything give thanks. Thank Him for what you cannot even see as a blessing.
James 1:17 says,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above,
And comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
In your fear and doubt, you may forget the thousand and one good gifts your Heavenly Father gives you day after day. Life. Breath. A blue sky. A gentle rain. Someone who cares about you. A hot cup of coffee. A task done for a neighbor. A task a good neighbor
does for you. A hearty soup for lunch. A hand on your shoulder commending you for a task well done. A child who needs you. A warm bed to sleep in on a cold night. The scent of honeysuckle on a spring evening. A doctor who knows how to help you. A gust of laughter
shared with a friend over a comic incident at work. A Christian friend who shares an encouraging Scripture with you. An assurance of forgiveness from God when you’ve messed up.
The reality of an eternity to spend with the God whose love for you is unmeasurable. Oh, yes, you have every reason to be thankful in everything, in spite of the circumstances in your life right now. God is working it all out for your good. He promised it to those who love
Him.