Thanksgiving, For A Friend Goes With Us

​To rejoice always is to delve into the love of He who dwells within us, of the Spirit’s peace in the storms of life. Praying without ceasing is to rely upon Him in the darkest of times. But then there is the third command, which I find to be the most difficult.

​Thankfulness in all circumstances? Even the ones we find detestable? Even in the ones where we feel cursed? Forgotten? Broken? Despairing? How can one find thankfulness in times when it feels like the world is crashing down around you and you feel deeply that life is not going the way you want? Well, you are not alone, for Job felt this way, too. The Book of Job is in itself a deep and beautiful example of God’s faithfulness in times of trial, and even in Job’s weakness and spiritual strife, God reminds him of His faithfulness; He reminds Job that the LORD holds him dear, and that the LORD is a friend to those who walk with Him (Job 36:7). This echoes in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, where he encourages those to walk in faith and righteousness:

​So what do we have to be thankful for? Why should we be thankful always? It is because, no matter what may come, no matter how dark it gets, we have Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and a friend that gave His life for ours (John 15:13). We have a friend who, no matter what may come, walks with us, stands with us in the flames (Daniel 3:25). He is with us, and that thankfulness carries with us to the ends of the earth and beyond.