A while ago I was complaining in my mind as I sat at a stop light. It had gone through the cycle twice already, but my turn lane never turned green. You see an ambulance had passed through the intersection and caused me to have to wait. I felt the frustration building when a firetruck went through the intersection. Great, now I had to wait for another two cycles before my light turned green. I didn’t stop and consider who might be injured and I didn’t pray until I was convicted of my lack of gratitude. I was healthy and safe but annoyed because I had to wait a few minutes and I was in a hurry. It’s easy to be selfish when we focus on what is wrong rather than all of our many blessings.
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 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.
It says to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. There’s a big difference. One day after Paul and Silas had healed a slave girl who had a spirit in her, that predicted the future. They were beaten, flogged, and thrown in prison. They had every reason to be upset. They were mistreated for doing a good thing. But instead of being angry about their situation, they were singing and praying.
Acts 16:25
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
This is what Radical gratitude looks like. Why can we thank God in every circumstance? Because we can trust God no matter what chaos is swirling around us. Why is it God’s will for us to practice radical gratitude in all circumstances? Even if our circumstances don’t change, we do.
Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these verses?