“What has God done for me that I should thank Him this year?” This was a response of a Christian in a meeting as others publicly testified to God’s goodness in their lives. It might be shocking to hear such words but such attitude is becoming common. Even we can feel that way and pretend to be thankful or say something for the sake of others when in fact we are “unhappy” with God. What are we to do? How are we to see the “bad” things that might have happened from a Biblical perspective?
We can have what is called as the “Asaph Syndrome” as he says in Psalm 73, “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning... But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome (troublesome) task, until I went into the sanctuary of God;”
And so as a reminder to the Christians who might be in the midst of suffering, difficulty and sorrows here are 10 reasons to thank our LORD even during such trials. We have to remember that God sends them –
1. First to remove our pride and humble us and make us depend on God
But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart. (2 Chr 32:25-26)
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
2. Second, to testify about our character
We might know the story of Job but why did he even lose everything and everyone in his family?
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8)
3. Third, to stop us from sin
When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath! (Ps. 39:11)
4. Fourth, to make us realize about ourselves
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try (test) me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Ps. 139:23-24)
5. Fifth, to be a partaker of glory
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed… Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Pet. 4:12-13, 19)
6. Sixth, to discipline to make us holy and be trained in righteousness
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. (Heb. 12:6)
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. (Ps. 119:67)
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. (Ps. 119:71)
7. Seventh, to make us perfect and complete
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds (job loss, divorce, sickness, insults, bereavement, loneliness and so on), for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
8. Eighth, to test the genuineness of our faith
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:6-7)
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution (time of testing) arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away (Matt. 13:20-21)
9. Ninth, to comfort others with empathy (true understanding and deep feelings)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
10. Last, to be a display of God’s power and for non-Christians to believe in Jesus
Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:2)
The British Evangelist, Alan Redpath once said, “There is nothing–no circumstance, no trouble, no testing–that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is–that is the rest of victory!”
And just in case if you are still not convinced, is there any better reason to thank God for than to thank Him for sending His Son for a sinner like you? Is that good enough to stop being “unhappy” with God? Remember none of us deserve even the slightest “good”. God alone by His grace has done the greatest “good” for us – salvation through His Son.
Rom. 8:28 applies to us as well for it says, “nd we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” God has promised that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Jesus has promised that He is with us always!
So let us rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us (1 Thess. 5:18). God bless!
