The Importance of Giving Thanks
In Romans 1:8, after greeting the Roman church, the first thing Paul does is thank God. While subtle, this act is of extreme importance for us today in His Body because of how it changes our hearts and minds.
When you pray to God, what is the first thing you do? Do you ask for God to fix all your problems? Oftentimes, if we’re honest with ourselves, our prayers look more like a wish list than anything else. Is this how we ought to pray?
While we should bring everything to God in prayer, what we often miss as Christians is how to approach the God of the universe, the one who has saved our souls from hell by the cross-work of Christ. In Philippians 4, we see the exhortation to:
“[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Php 4:6-7
Notice that our prayers and supplications should be coupled with thanksgiving. Why is that? For starters, God’s will is that we give thanks:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1Th 5:18
Additionally, when mankind doesn’t give thanks to God, it leads to us trying to be our own gods. When things are “going well” in an earthly sense and our flesh is comfortable, we tend to forget our need for God. In forgetting to recognize the source of all things good is not us, but God, a massive mess ensues:
“[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” – Rom 1:21-23
What if it feels hard to be thankful? Even if you’re not thankful for everything, you’re able to be thankful in everything. Rather than demand that all of our problems be fixed, let us first recognize all that God has already done for us. By doing this, we experience God’s peace, and our hearts and minds are reoriented toward the things of eternal value: the things of Christ.
In this state, we are much more capable of dealing with the issues that arise in our lives, when they have been put into their proper perspective. In the light of God’s grace and the hope we have in Christ, our futile problems pale in comparison (Rom 8:18).
In fact, the difficult things we face have the function of allowing us to grow and rest in God’s sufficient grace. They are opportunities for us to mature and subsequently help others in the future who may experience similar distresses (2Co 1:4).
“[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” – 2Co 12:9-10
“[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” – Rom 5:1-5
The giving of thanks follows the receipt of a gift and in the case of Christ, we’ve received an unspeakable gift of eternal life (2Co 9:15). As you pray this week, I’d encourage you to consider starting your prayers with thanksgiving to God for what He’s already done for you and watch as you experience a changed perspective and the peace that surpasses all understanding (Col 4:2, Php 4:6-7).
