Not Just Good...Good for You

Today’s newspaper had another article on the benefits of ‘being more active’ (i.e., physical exercise). According to recent findings, scientists have tied more than 90,000 cases of breast & colon cancer every year to prolonged sitting. The implication, of course, is to increase your activity level.

 Indeed, exercise is one of those ‘magic answers’ for an amazing array of problems. It is not touted to cure them, but its consistent practice is part of a lifestyle that thwarts and averts everything from depression to diabetes, insomnia to infertility. Undeniably, it is one of those lifestyle choices that ‘just makes good sense!’

 My post today is not meant as a ‘rah, rah, go join a fitness club’ message, however.

Instead, I’d like to suggest a parallel to a principle in Scripture.
 In the same way that physical activity contributes to the prevention of and (sometime partial) cure for a multitude of distressing ailments, God instructs his people to a lifestyle choice that reoccurs in His Word as a response to all kinds of things which displease Him.

 It may not be the single and direct cure, but like exercise, operates robustly in the process to either prevent or eliminate the evil.

 What am I speaking of?

 Thankfulness….the heart attitude and action of giving thanks.

 Consider just this sampling in Scripture… 

• In response to sexual immorality or impurity, filthiness, foolish talk or crude joking…let there be thanksgiving (Eph 5:3-4).
• To his people Israel: Instead of ritualistic sacrifices and burnt offerings, offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Ps 50:14).
• To the wicked, to those who forget God: the one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me (Ps 50:23).
• In response to worry and anxious fears, we are by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to let our requests be made known unto God (Phil 4:6).
• As we consider those who are fellow members of our church, even if we are irritated, hurt, put off, or can’t figure them out, we are to give thanks to God for them, recognizing God is at work in their lives (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

How does thankfulness impact these various sins & situations, from sexual impurity to pagan rebellion, from worry to improper worship to “this person is driving me nuts”? Here's my speculation:

1. Thankfulness points one to God as the ultimate giver of any/all circumstances.
2. Giving thanks directs one to His sovereign control even amid things that don’t seem ‘good’ to us.
3. Choosing to count blessings derails our natural bent to focus on what we believe isn’t right, as if we deserve something better/different (can you say ‘entitlement’?!).
4. And giving thanks reorients our position as child of God, clay in the potter’s hand, slave to our master, and sheep in our shepherd’s flock. (None of these positions ‘calls the shots’…nor would it be a good outcome if they did!)

 So, if you are a ‘glass half-empty’ kind of person, ask God to change your heart focus and then walk forward in active pursuit of a different perspective: thankfulness.
Someday in Heaven we may find it is the supernatural antidote and prevention of 90,000+ spiritual infirmities, available without a prescription or even breaking a sweat---through God's grace.
(God is like that though = commanding something that He knows will provide just what we need! What a great God we serve!)

1 Thess 5:18 “ Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”