“Jesus looked up and gave thanks.”

The year 2020 began with so much promise. There is something optimistic about a new decade. I think we were all shocked at how quickly we found ourselves in the place of “unknown.” The year has surprised us, confused us, and confined us. When the voices of the pandemic began to cry out, it seemed like “Okay, a few weeks, maybe months, but by summer, we will be done and back to life as usual.”

Since we live in a microwave and google society of quick fixes and immediate answers, it was unthinkable that we would still be dealing with COVID-19 at Thanksgiving. But here we are. It’s Thanksgiving, and COVID-19 is still here and growing. Yikes! Is there a spiritual word for yikes? I have felt like whining so often and sadly have been complaining.

Learning Ourselves Through Discomfort

The isolation, actually semi-isolation in my case, has been difficult. I didn’t realize what a weak area this was in my life. I’m not someone who needs to be with people all the time. I like my alone time. But not being able to be with people on my terms, restrained unwillingly, has been difficult. It has shone a bright light on an area I did not realize I needed to grow in. The strange beauty of discomfort and lack of personal control is we learn more about ourselves during these times.

God reveals our weak points. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, our spiritual life is only as healthy as our most vulnerable point. God in His mercy doesn’t show us all our weaknesses at once. We wouldn’t survive the revelation. In his grace and patience, He reveals our weaknesses throughout our life. His purpose is always to draw us closer to Him: trust Him in new and more profound ways. I thought I was stronger than I was, and thus, the whining began.

It has taken eight months for me to realize this about myself. Many of my friends have suffered as they have lost loved ones, been diagnosed with cancer, or lived in locked-down facilities with no visitors. My suffering is laughable in comparison. Suffering is too strong a word. I have been inconvenienced. There is no spiritual gift for the inconvenience.

Thankfulness, Worship, and Praise

It is easy to quote I Thessalonians 5:18, “In all things give thanks,” and so difficult to carry out consistently. But there is power in the giving of thanks. It is an act of the will. When we look up and give thanks to God, we are acknowledging the expanse of God’s possibilities and provision instead of looking down at the problem.

True thankfulness has nothing to do with how we “feel.” It is a choice. When Jesus fed the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves, He first looked up and gave thanks to his Father for what He had, not for what He lacked. Jesus thanked God as He administered the last Passover, fully aware of the suffering to come. His agony became our salvation. Understanding this, thankfulness, worship, and praise are my privilege no matter what my circumstance.

Today, I am offering thanks with a grateful heart first for my Savior who gave everything for me.

I am thankful our county was “open” for a few weeks, and we could dine in. I am thankful for my family and my Monday bible study. I am grateful for walks around our lake, and Zoom meetings versus no meetings. I am grateful for living in a small town with friends and neighbors to check on and who check on me. There is so much to be thankful for!

Whatever your personal circumstance, may you experience the peace of looking up and giving thanks.

Blessings,

Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.

Scripture for Meditation

Verses to read and contemplate to encourage your thanksgiving! Collected along with the themes in my post, “Jesus looked up and gave thanks.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV) – Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 100:4 (ESV) – Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name!

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV) – Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV) – Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Colossians 3:15 (ESV) – And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.