As we enter this Thanksgiving Season, The LORD has laid upon my heart the subject of “being thankful.”

To my surprise, He gave me a whole new perspective on this subject that I simply had to share it with you.

We are to enter His Chambers/ Courts of Almighty God with praise and thanksgiving. This is a Key of entrance to answered prayers!

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4.

Let me start this teaching out by saying, I always thought that “being thankful” only referred to that which we have received of The LORD in the form of blessings such as family, children, homes, vehicle, jobs, careers, nice clothes, and all sorts of material things as well as good health, wealth etc..

Often I would just go through my mind, thanking God for all that I have received from Him as I pointed out each and every blessing to Him thanking Him for each and everyone of them.

Now I want to say that all these things are blessings and we certainly should be thankful to God for each of them, however what happens to us and our attitude, and our way of thinking, when things are not so good?

When the vehicle breaks down, the heating and airing system no longer works leaving you very uncomfortable in the summer and in the winter?

When the house is in need of great repair and the money is limited? When the bills are piling higher than the income you are receiving, and it appears there is no help in sight?

When family, children, and friends let you down or forsakes you? When you lose a loved one to death that you loved and depended upon so greatly?

When the marriage was not at all as you expected and hoped it would be ending in divorce and the children are now being pitted against you?

When the job or career has ended because of health issues that you did not count on or expect. When the business closes, or you suddenly get fired with reason, or for no reason of your own?

What if God himself asks you to lay it all day for the cause of the gospel and Christ?

All of which is a part of life and we know The Bible is clear when it states that TIME AND CHANCE HAPPENS TO US ALL.

Therefore NONE OF US in exempt from any of these things happening to us.

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11.

The Apostle Paul teaches us to be thankful in “ALL THINGS/ EVERYTHING” for this is the “WILL OF GOD” in Christ Jesus concerning you!

This “ALL/ EVERYTHING” here means not just being thankful for the “good things” — but also the “not so good things!”

“In every thing (all things) give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

My friends, you do not grow in the easy times nor, do you mature and develop in the easy times, rather it is in the darkest of moments in life that we grow, and become more mature and learn so much more to become more like Jesus in nature and character.

Have you learned to be thankful for the “not so good times” because of all the other “good things” you are gaining in those not so good times, such as adding to your faith “good things” like the fruit of His nature and Spirit abiding in you in patience, goodness, charity, faithfulness, knowledge, etc.?

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36.

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4.

The Bible clearly teaches us that in this world we will have tribulation, persecutions and even thorns/infirmities in the flesh such as the Apostle Paul writes much about in The Bible concerning his. He even asked The LORD that this infirmity/weakness that was given to him, might depart from him three times but, The LORD replied; “my grace is sufficient for you my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”

Needless to say God did not take it from him!

Not so good huh? But what did the Apostle Paul say? How did he respond to the “not so good news?”

He stated that he learned to be content in what soever state he found himself in because he learned he could do all these things through Christ who strengthened him!

He further went on to say I even glory in my weakness and infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me! He said I take pleasure in persecutions, afflictions, lack and hunger, and even pain!

Wow, what a response and great attitude he had found in his journey called life! No where did we hear him complaining about any of his hardships all though he spoke often of many of them such as being beaten with stripes, imprisonment, shipwrecked, and bitten by a snake yet he shook it off in the fire and kept moving with the attitude of true thankfulness!

“Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” 2 Corinthians 11:25-33

.“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9,

When, If all we are ever thankful for is the “good things” then where does this leave us in our minds, thoughts, and attitudes when things are not so good? Here the words of Jesus Himself.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

If we are gonna truly abide in the full doctrine of Christ then we have to come out of this immature and false way of thinking and teaching.

We have been programmed to believe that we are to be thankful for all the “finer things” and the rest of the “bad things” that happen to us well, we just blame that on the devil and we continue to believe false doctrine that tells us, if it is good, it is from God, if it is bad, it is from the devil.

Even though the bible does not teach this at all! God allows many things that are not good for a good reason! This is truth here and we have to grow up and accept the full gospel.

Consider JOB in the bible and the many losses and hardships he faced. Whose ideal was it for the enemy to attack him in every area of his life? Well lets read on to see, ..yes it was God’s ideal as he presented it to the devil.

Might I add here, not because of any wrong or bad doing on Job’s part either because God plainly himself described Job to the devil as being a upright man, one who feared God and eschewed evil.

“And The LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Then Satan answered The LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And The LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of The LORD,” Job 1:8-12.

I can certainly tell you with things the way they are this day and time we are all living in, with the economy and inflation rising on everything, every single day it appears.

With wicked evil men/leaders waxing worse and worse everyday as we are told it shall be in the end times, with having so much difficulties we all face in today’s living people who have based their lives upon part of the truth, the “good parts” and have left out the other “not so good parts” certainly will not be able to abide, endure, or stand in the evil days we are facing now and will ahead of us.

Which is the whole purpose of this article is to give you a full perspective of what the bible actually teaches in full so that you will be prepared and well equipped and able to stand.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13.

This is not a teaching for itching ears this is meat of the word that we all will need to sustain us in days ahead.

So if you are hungry for some real answers to many things that are troubling your mind have a seat here at my table and allow me to give you some meat that you may have never eaten before, or ever even have heard or thought of before.

This may be hard to chew for some but, trust me you will need this if you are gonna be left standing and sustained in the days ahead.

“But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4: 32-34.

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:12-14.

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” 1 Corinthians 3:1-2.

God’s people talk often of doing God’s will and many have so many different ideals about what doing God’s will is and what that entails to them.

For instance, when many refer to doing God’s will they often apply this to the five fold ministry of some type such as preaching, teaching, prophet, apostle, or an evangelist.

Others may refer this to being a blessing to someone in need. All though this is ministry to do these things often times the attitude in which we do these things is rarely discussed.

Often times we fail to teach that to be thankful in everything IS THE WILL OF GOD ALSO in Christ Jesus concerning us!

So it is not a question of will you go through some things but, rather the real question is how are you gonna go through? With what attitude?

We also know that peoples attitudes basically are good when they base their lives and opinions upon the good only when this is happening to them, however when something bad happens these ones fall away quickly because they have no real depth or root of his word in them.

We are going deeper today in His word and I am gonna equip the saints to stand and endure hardships as a good soldier as we are taught by the Apostle Paul in the bible and many others even Jesus. Consider these words from the Apostle Paul to Timothy.

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Consider what I say; and The LORD give thee understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before The LORD that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness,” 2 Timothy 2:1-16.

Consider the prophet Moses and his attitude toward affliction and persecution which he willfully surrendered to and chose when he chose to follow his call as a prophet of The LORD God.

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Hebrews 11:25.

Now, last but certainly not the least, let us consider Jesus Himself, the forerunner Son, who came to walk a divine path chosen for Him by God that He also chose to surrender to in order to fulfill the will of God upon His life and to show us the narrow path the only way to God that very few even find!

Did that choice He made to follow the plan of God for Him entail pain and suffering? Yes it sure did! Take a real look at the cross and you will sure see it did entail great suffering! Many may even think it was a wrong choice or a bad one in today’s society because none wants to embrace any amount of suffering or persecution for the cause of Christ and the gospel of salvation! They want the easy way rather than the true and living way..the only way to God!

Did that entail persecution and afflictions? Yes it did! Take a look at how He was treated by the religious ones and religious leaders of His day.

Was He called names and ridiculed in the synagogues and even mocked by those He loved and even helped and healed and taught along the way? YES He was persecuted greatly!

Could He have quit and given up and forsaken His mission at any given time? The Bible says yes He could have!

He could have called for legions of angels to come take Him down from that cross! Hear Jesus in His own words!

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53.

Jesus said no man takes my life from me. He said I lay it down WILLFULLY that I might take it up again.

This commandment I learned of my Father!

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:18.

Did it please God to BRUISE JESUS? The bible says YES IT DID!

“Yet it pleased The LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of The LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11

When we see Jesus in the garden as He was to finally surrender to the full work of the cross in His life He knew that would entail suffering yet He CHOSE that anyway after three times, He said please let this cup pass from me!

Then He said nevertheless not my will but, thine be done and He surrendered and submitted to the shame and suffering He endured on the Cross for The Will of God to be done!

So yes, I will teach you to not only embrace the fire but, to be thankful for it because the end results of that is glorious!

“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39.

Does The Bible teach us that we will never have any sufferings, trouble, afflictions, or persecutions?

No it does not teach that!

False teachers, false prophets, and false apostles do! Especially the ones who have not fully matured in The Word of God and the full council thereof, nor have submitted themselves to it.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as YE ARE PARTAKERS WITH CHRIST SUFFERINGS; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12.

So we clearly see here that sufferings is a part of the process that many refuse to surrender to the full gospel or Plan of God, because it does not suit their false opinions or false teachings of how that should always look like and be like.

“And we know that “ALL THINGS” work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Roman 8:28.

Now you know that no matter what it looks like now it is working for your good to lead you to full resurrection recovery as you continue to be led by His Spirit through the entire process that will ultimately lead you to God and His divine victory he has provided for us all through Christ Jesus!

We also know now it is the WILL OF GOD to give thanks in all things/everything even the not so good things!

You should also know that some of the greatest intimacy you will ever have with Christ is to partake in some of His sufferings.

How else will you ever know true victory and to know Him in the power of His resurrection if you refuse to partake in some of his sufferings, the not so good part?

C’mon now people — this is something to be most thankful for because even THROUGH THE BAD, the “GOOD NEWS” is that the “BAD NEWS” WORKS FOR OUR GOOD EVERY TIME!

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17.

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36.

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14.

 

~ Kimberly Fuller

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Kimberly Fuller

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