Give thanks…in all circumstances

Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?

Gwenda Lloyd Wallace ponders the value of gratitude

These, of course, were the words of Jesus after he had healed the ten lepers, and only one had returned to thank him (Luke 17:18). It is clear that expressing thanks is very important in the eyes of our Lord, e.g. the many Psalms giving thanks, Philippians 4:6: “with thanksgiving", and 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks".

Is giving thanks to our Lord the first thought that enters our heads when we wake up in the morning, throughout the working day and at bedtime? Or do our prayers revolve around a shopping list, with little conversation with the Lord, or thanks to Him?

Looking again at the verses above, you may notice that I have omitted the final words: “give thanks at all times", and "Give thanks in all circumstances.” At all times? In all circumstances? But what about the times when we are in difficult situations? Should we be thankful for those times too, in real time and not with the benefit of hindsight?

Corrie ten Boom: Corrie [pictured here with the evangelist Billy Graham] and her sister Betsie were transported to Ravensbrück concentration camp during the Second World War. They were ordered to take off all their clothes and walk in a parade. Ashamed, Corrie suddenly remembered a painting she had once seen of Jesus naked on the cross, and she prayed: ‘Lord, I never realised before that you hung naked on the cross for us. Now I understand a little of what it must have cost you to suffer in that way. Thank you for bearing that for me. Help me to bear this for you.’

On reaching their barracks, they found that the blankets were riddled with fleas, but Betsie said excitedly: ‘God has shown me how we can bear all this. He has said that we must give thanks in all circumstances, so let's start.’ They gave thanks that they were still together, that they had managed to sneak their Bible in, and gave thanks for... the fleas!

The two began holding Bible studies and prayer meetings in the barracks, and officers at the camp never once visited the building to check what was happening. They were therefore able to talk about Christ, and observe many becoming Christians. They later found out that officers at the camp had avoided their barracks - because of the fleas!

“Give thanks in all circumstances.”