Giving Thanks in All Things

 

A man whispered, “God, speak to me” and a meadowlark sang, but the man did not hear. So, the man yelled, “God – Speak to me!” and thunder with lightning rolled across the sky, but the man did not listen. The man looked toward the heavens then said, “God, let me see you” and a star twinkled and shined brightly, but the man did not see. Then the man shouted, “God, show me a miracle!” and a life was born, but the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God, and let me know you are here!” whereupon, God reached down and touched the man, but the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on. I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted. Give thanks he has never left us alone.

From an article, Giving Thanks in All Things by Brian Mitchell, Bulletin Digest 11/16. Most of you I am sure have heard of the novel, Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It tells the story of Captain Ahab’s relentless hunt for the great white whale Moby Dick, who had destroyed his ship and bitten off his leg. Ahab was obsessed with destroying the whale – his life revolved around his resentment, bitterness, and the desire for revenge, which tarnished everything he did. His bitterness had twisted him into a cruel and hateful person, and the saddest thing about the book, and bitterness in general, is the fact that the real victim of Ahab’s bitterness and hatred was Ahab himself. His obsession had made him a most unhappy man and that is what bitterness will do to you. Do you know any bitter people? Those who have been wronged in some way in life and have allowed such to turn them into negative and critical person? Bitterness is a terrible thing, for not only does it make us miserable, but it also makes those around us miserable. 

Webster’s dictionary defines bitterness as an attitude of unfriendliness, resentment, and animosity. If we fail to overcome our resentment and animosity, it will likely develop into bitterness. Bitterness is a malignant form of resentment and anger, and it is capable of spreading rapidly until it affects every area of one’s life. It causes one to become harsh, reproachful, unpleasant, and unfriendly. Do you know anyone that this describes? Bitterness can be the result of someone doing us wrong and getting away with it. It can be brought about by someone achieving a success that we feel we deserved and not having attained. It is often the result of feeling that life has somehow been unfair to us. Regardless of what causes it, bitterness can rob us of our joy for life and make us unbearable to be around. Bitterness can prevent us from practicing kindness and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:29-32). It can destroy relationships with our families, friends, and brethren (Hebrews 12:14-15). And bitterness can cause us to put all the focus in our life on oneself (James 3:13-18). In the end, bitterness causes us to grieve the Holy Spirit; possess a heart of ingratitude; lack kindness and compassion; and develop an unwillingness to forgive others (Colossians 3:12-13).

[Psalm 100] So, how does one overcome and rid one’s life of this extremely negative emotion? While there is much I could say, let me just suggest that one should stop often and count your many blessings. “…Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.” When it comes to the bitterness, anger, and resentment of the world, God has the solution; be thankful in all things. Let us never forget that regardless of what trial or difficulty we may experience, we will always have a great deal to be thankful for. It is like the man who said, “I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man with no feet.” Whenever you start feeling bitter about your lot in life, how about you stop for a minute and think instead about all the blessings God has bestowed upon you, and with prayer, give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).