In Everything Give Thanks

I believe the year was 1969. I was attending the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC. It was a wonderful time of infilling as I sat under the ministry of such notables as Kathryn Kuhlman and Merlin Carothers.

Carothers was still a chaplain in the U.S. Army at that time, and his book, Prison to Praise, had just been released by Logos International Fellowship (our predecessor). The publisher of the book was Dan Malachuk, who was also a prominent figure at the convention.

I remember Merlin's teaching so well. It was very simple, yet direct. He spoke on this verse: "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV). He told of many soldiers and their families that he had counseled to thank God for what they were going through, including divorce, sickness, depression, etc.

I remember Terry Law writing about the death of his wife, a loss so great that he was thrown into the deepest depression. (It happened while Terry was ministering in Europe, and he could not understand why God would let something so terrible happen.) He went to his mentor, Oral Roberts, who told him to go home, get on his knees, and begin praising God. He did this for a long time until the spiritual breakthrough he needed finally came.

We are told to give thanks in everything, not necessarily for everything. Such a positive attitude and response to negative circumstances, no matter what they are, is more than medicinal in its effects.

Can you do this in your present circumstances. Are you able to thank God in spite of the situation. Begin praising Him, for He promises to inhabit your praises. An attitude of gratitude sweetens every bitter situation.