Ministers Blogs
“Always Give Thanks”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesA Chinese gentleman lived on the border of China and Mongolia. In those days, there was constant conflict and strife along the perimeter. The man had a beautiful horse. One day, she leaped over the corral, raced down the road, crossed the border, and was captured by the Mongolians. His friends came to comfort him. “That’s bad news,” they said sadly. “What makes you think it’s bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” A few days later the mare came bolting into his corral, bringing with it a massive stallion. His friends crowded around. “That’s good news!” they cried. “What makes you think it’s good news?” he asked. “Maybe it is bad news.” Later, his son, while riding the stallion and trying to break it, was thrown off and broke his leg. “That’s bad news,” cried the friends. “What makes you think it is bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” One week later, war broke out with Mongolia, and a Chinese general came through, drafting all the young men. All later perished, except for the young man who couldn’t go because his leg was broken. The man said to his friends, “You see, the things you thought were bad turned out good, and the things you thought were good turned out bad.” [1]
And therefore, it is with us. We don’t know if the things we want will really be good for us, or bad. We can’t see the future. That’s why Paul tells us in 1Th. 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
“We can’t see the future. That’s why James tells us to pray, saying, in 4:15, “If the Lord wills. . . .” But God does know the future. He is The Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows how all things will turn out.
Rom 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
God will work out the circumstances of our life out for good if we will only put our faith in Him and do not waver. So let us always give thanks to Lord for He has great things in store for us if we are willing to be patient and wait.
By Mark T. Tonkery
[1]Morgan, Robert J.: Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook : 2002 Edition. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001, S. 361
