Photo by Anik Roy
When life is going well, gratitude flows easily. We thank God for blessings received, prayers answered, and moments of joy—and we delight to share that joy with those around us.
But what happens when life becomes difficult? When we face disappointment, loss, uncertainty, or pain, giving thanks feels almost impossible. When Job lost everything dear to him, he could only sit in silence among the ashes (Job 2:8).
As we go through life, seasons of illness, financial stress, or relational conflict can cloud our hearts. The burden becomes even heavier when we muster every ounce of our little faith to pray for a different outcome, only to be met with silence from God. Under such circumstances, thanksgiving does not come naturally.
Physical and emotional pain can also narrow our perspective. When we are hurting, it is natural to focus on our pain, or on what is missing or has been lost. When the psalmists felt aggrieved or abandoned—they poured out their feelings in their laments to God (e.g. Psalm 13:1-2). We learn, from their examples, that our initial laments at God do not reflect a lack of faith, but are a necessary journey towards building our faith in God and, eventually, giving thanks.
Scripture calls us to give thanks. Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Notice that Paul does not say to give thanks for every circumstance, but in all circumstances—good and difficult.
We give thanks even when it is hard because thanksgiving shifts our focus from our problems to God’s presence and purpose. It is an acknowledgement that God is still at work and on His throne, even when we cannot see the full picture.
Jesus Himself gave thanks even on the night before His going to the cross. At the Last Supper, He took bread and gave thanks (Luke 22:19; Psalm 118), knowing full well the suffering that lay ahead of Him. After dinner when He was alone praying in the garden, He was in anguish as He wrestled with the Father’s will and purpose (Luke 22:42-44). In that moment of divine tussle, Jesus submitted to the Father’s purposes.
Giving thanks strengthens our inner spirit to face the present and deal with what is to come. Giving thanks helps us to stay focused on God, and not be overwhelmed by our circumstances.
There will be times when it is hard to give thanks, but it is often in those very moments that thanksgiving becomes the deepest expression of our faith—and the place where our inner spirit most deeply connects with our Father’s heart.
As we approach the year-end season, let us cultivate a habit of giving thanks daily. Let’s start each day by thanking God for His abiding presence, His grace, and the assurance that He walks with us through every circumstance.
Give thanks,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
生活顺遂时，感恩之情自然流露。我们感谢 神赐下诸般福气、应允我们的祷告，并祂叫我们欢欣的日子—我们也乐于与周遭人们分享这份喜悦。
然而，当生活变得艰难时该如何呢？我们失望、丧失、迷茫或痛苦时，感恩仿佛变得不实在。约伯曾痛失一切所爱；那时，他只能默默地坐在灰烬中(约伯记2:8)。
经历疾病磨难、或经济压力、或人际冲突时，都足以叫人愁眉不展。我们竭尽微弱信心恳求 神改变处境，然而祷告却落了空时，这更是令人消沉。彼时彼刻，感谢有些勉强。
身体或情感上的苦楚都会叫人视野狭隘。当人痛苦时，自然地专注于自身感受，或是那些缺失或失去的东西。诗篇里好些作者曾感到憋屈或被遗弃，他们便向 神倾诉哀鸣(参阅诗篇13:1-2)。从他们的篇章，我们学会到 神面前由衷的哀叹并非信心缺乏的表现，反倒是重拾信心仰赖 神，心怀感激的必经之路。
圣经劝勉信徒要感谢 神。使徒保罗写道：“凡事谢恩(Give thanks in all circumstances)；这就是 神在基督耶稣里给你们的旨意”(帖撒罗尼迦前书5:18)。请留意保罗与其说为凡事(for all circumstances)感恩，宁愿处凡事(in all circumstances)谢恩，不论顺境逆境。
我们若身处逆境而感恩，就将注意力从自身问题转向 神的同在，以及祂纯全的旨意。我们如此行，乃是确信 神在作工并且掌管万有，即使个人无法看清全貌。
耶稣基督直到在被钉十字架的前夜仍旧选择感谢父神。就在最后的晚餐，深知自己即将遭受患难，祂拿起饼来，感谢了，擘开递给门徒(路加福音 22:19)。晚餐后，祂独自在客西马尼园祷告，内心煎熬，与天父的旨意较量(参阅路加福音 22:42-44)。天人交战之后，耶稣顺服了父神的旨意。
称颂祂的名令人鼓起勇气，使我们能够面对当下以及未来。感恩使人转向 神，不至于被困境所压垮。
我们难免遇到无法感恩的情况；但是，在这些时刻称谢 神往往是我们实践信心的契机，是个人内心与天父相契之际。
随着年末临近，让我们学习常常谢恩。让我们每天以感谢 神开始：称颂祂的慈爱永远长存，祂帮助了凡投靠祂的人(诗篇 118)。
感恩，
蓝国贤
会务导师
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