Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.
Dixie is our beautiful and sweet black dog—a mix of retriever and we don't know what else. We rescued her in April 2022. The first time we saw her at the shelter, she was curled up in the back corner of her cage, skin and bones and mangy all over, and she would hardly make eye contact. The rescue shelter said she had been a stray, found on the mean streets of Kansas City. They said she was about two years old when they found her.

She's still very, very skittish—even after having lived with us for the past year and a half. But, she is very thankful. She's thankful for a home, food, shelter from thunderstorms, walks, and lots of love. Although we don't speak "dog," and she doesn't speak "human," it seems that she's always thankful. She wags her tail a lot. She's a sweetheart and seems to never complain.

What if we never complained? What if we were content no matter what came our way? Just as Dixie has been rescued, we were rescued from the mean streets of life in a fallen world and the penalty of sin. Daily, we see and feel the pain of sin and death in this world. We complain a lot because life doesn't go the way we think it should. Despite our disappointment, we have much to be thankful for. "God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son." (Colossians 1:13). We've been rescued.

After spending eight years in a Soviet gulag, Soviet dissident and literary giant, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote: "Bless you, prison, for having been in my life. The meaning of earthly existence lies, not as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul."

"Bless you, prison..."? What is he talking about? Is he crazy? No, he meant what he said. Aleksandr understood the fact that God can take difficult things and turn them into blessings. It's doubtful that he would have considered that prison a treat, or that he would have been glad to spend his entire life there. But, trusting in God's will and God's timing, he accepted that the eight years in prison was part of God's plan and that God would, ultimately, use it for good. "We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).

Is this, perhaps, one possible way to understand why God commands us to give thanks in all circumstances? Everyone has "prisons" to deal with. But still, in God's Word, we're faced with that difficult idea of giving thanks, no matter what. God didn't tell us to give thanks sometimes or in certain situations where we get everything when we want it and the way we want it. It's nice when we do get what we want, but that doesn't always happen. God always provides what we need—not always what we want.

What if we never complained and were always thankful? Maybe even giving thanks in all circumstances? Giving thanks is a choice. And it could well be part of God's plan for developing our souls and conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). For the good of many, Jesus surrendered His will to the Father's, and look at all the earthly and eternal good that has come from that one choice.

By Chaney Rader, Bible League International staff, U.S.Old Testament Reading
Ezekiel 34, 35

Ezekiel 34 -- Reproof of the Shepherds of Israel; Restoration

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB

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Ezekiel 35 -- The Judgment of Mount Seir for Their Hatred of Israel

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB

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New Testament Reading
1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2 -- Put away Wickedness; You Are Like Living Stones; Submit to Authority; Follow Christ's Example

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.