My father had a lot of great qualities, and one of the most distinctive was his wholehearted gratitude. Past, present, and future — he saw all of it through a lens of thankfulness to God for all He had done. While there were moments when a setback got him down, he’d quickly shake off the gloom and say “BUT….” When he recalled hard times, he’d say, “Thank you God, thank you.” If there were clouds on the horizon he’d make a calming gesture and say, deliberately, “Everything is going to be fine.” His gratitude couldn’t be contained by a list or limited to a cerebral exercise — this was a full body activity. Through ups and downs, his gratitude was calm, constant and even-keeled. His good nature was welcoming to both friends and strangers.
I thought of my father this week as I was reading the book of Philippians. Normally I think of Paul as a stern and serious person, but I realized, as I read, that he could have been my father’s buddy.
Normally, we are thankful once we’ve received a gift. Paul is grateful through faith, for gifts he has asked for and hasn’t yet received. He’s thankful that God will complete the good work that’s begun in the Philippians’ lives:
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6
Imagine how his confidence would inspire enthusiasm and perseverance in the Philippians! (Philippians 1:12-14.)
These verses in the final chapter of the book have been a longtime anchor in my prayers:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Thanking God in advance for answered prayers reminds me of planting seeds — putting tiny and nondescript seeds in soil, watering them, and then leaving them to germinate — is like a prayer sown in faith.
Application: Philippians is a wonderful book and I highly recommend reading it. It’s a short book, only four chapters. Paul is overflowing with gratitude, even though he is in prison. How have you experienced gratitude through Christ in tough times in your life? If you don’t already thank God in advance for His answers to prayer, make this into a new habit.
by Sherry Sommer
