Do you have a hard time being thankful to God? Is it because you see suffering all over our world? Maybe cancer has returned. Maybe your parent’s health is failing. Your son or daughter is a moral embarrassment. Your job is stressing you out. Maybe you are just simply worn out from life’s demands.
Sound like you? If so, let me tell you about a man named Paul.
Paul is an apostle whose life was filled with trial, trouble, and tribulation. In a letter to the Church of Corinth he says that he was been beaten for his faith. He was thrown in prison. He caused numerous riots. He had many sleepless nights and dealt with extreme hunger. One could see how Paul might have been extremely bitter towards God. After all, the reason why Paul was experiencing all these trials was because he was a servant of Jesus Christ.
It is at this point in Paul’s life that he pens a major paradox worthy of our attention. He says in 2 Corinthians 6:10 that he is, “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
How can someone be full of sorrow, yet always be rejoicing? How can someone have nothing, but still possess everything? Paul did not have a home. Paul did not have a family. Paul did not always have food. Paul did not always sleep. Paul did not have good health. Paul did not have a retirement. Paul did not have a plan. Paul was a beaten, stoned (not with narcotics), shipwrecked, snake bitten, homeless man!
How could someone like Paul be thankful even when everything is going wrong?
The answer… He remained focused on the spiritual blessings of Christ.
In Paul’s physical, familial, and material bankruptcy, he kept focused on the lavish riches he possessed through Christ.
While he probably lacked a biological family, he had a spiritual family in Christ! While he did not live a cushy earthly life, he looked forward to paradise in eternal life! Paul knew he was forgiven of his sin! He was freed from the chains of death! He knew that his suffering would end in glory! He was redeemed! He was set free! He had victory over sin and eternal damnation! Instead of experiencing the wrath of God which he deserved, he experienced the overwhelming mercy, grace, and love of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Now do you see what Paul meant when he said, “I have nothing, yet possess everything”?
Today in the difficult, stressful, and sad times, I challenge you to remember the incredible spiritual blessings that are yours if you are in Christ. Let us “give thanks in all circumstances”- 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Greg Salmon
Youth Director
