Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Speaker 1

Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and I love to count my blessings. I better have loved to count them, and you better too. When you think of all that God has given us—friendships, health, food on the table, a roof over our heads, and all the other benefits of this life—not to mention an escape from hell and a home in heaven, the least we can do is to remember all these blessings and more.

Sometimes, though, with my disability and chronic pain, I can feel a little deflated. My focus can turn inward. I can easily forget the blessing of a husband who cares, the blessing of being able to sit up in a wheelchair and have a job to do, and the blessings of friends and family. Suffering has a way of blinding me to those beautiful realities. And it's why 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I'm going to repeat that: the Holy Spirit is telling us he's giving us an imperative. Give thanks in all circumstances, not just the things you can handle or feel on top of. Don't give thanks only for the things for which you can easily give thanks—those easy, breezy, bright days when all looks wonderful on the horizon. No, rather, give thanks in all circumstances. And I would especially add tough circumstances, because that is when your Christianity means something. That's when your faith is forged in fire and made strong and durable.

Giving thanks through tough circumstances shows God how highly you think of him, that you think he's worth it, that knowing him is far superior to the struggles on earth. And here's the thing: to give thanks is not the same as feeling thankful. To give thanks in the midst of pain and problems is to take a step of faith based on the command of 1 Thessalonians. Now, granted, it's hard to do that. It's supposed to be hard to do that. But giving thanks in the middle of pain and problems is the best. It is the surest way to grow in Christ and to cultivate greater faith.

Are you having problems thinking of things for which you can give thanks? Well, today, how about starting with the Word of God, with the mercies of God that are new and fresh toward you every morning? And how about the hope of heaven and the encouragement your Christian friends give you? Give thanks for the health you do possess despite any other medical challenges you might have. And how about your children or grandchildren? There’s always laughter, sunsets, music, backyard birds, and flowers.

I know I give thanks for the people who help me get in and out of bed every morning, get me dressed, brush my hair, brush my teeth, and more. What would I do without them? Even in the midst of pain and paralysis, these are the people for whom I can give thanks to God. So do me a favor: challenge yourself to give thanks for small and great things, and do it every day. As you do it, God will eventually reward you with the heartfelt, happy emotion of true thankfulness.

Speaker 2

Friend, if you need help with this, go to joniradio.org today. You'll find scores of hopeful, encouraging messages from Joni and lots of reasons to be thankful.

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Speaker 1

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