Episode 13

If we're supposed to thank Jesus for and in everything, could that possibly include Covid? Because that just feels wrong. But something transformative happens as we praise the Lord when we can't think of a single good thing to thank Him for. Want to know how that works? Take a listen and let me know what you think!

Show Notes

Do I need to thank God for Covid? Because yikes. That’s hard!

Ephesians 5:20 says-  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Episode 12 I talked about presenting ourselves to Jesus and the verse that is our clarion call is:

Philippians 1:22- If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. 

If I’m living, I need to be fruitful.

And I have to tell you, I’ve discovered no more valuable tool to bring life back to my bones than THANKSGIVING.

But specifically- how do we thank Jesus in or for Covid?

Last Thanksgiving we had 78 people in our back yard. Amazing. Never even thought about sickness. If someone had shown up in a face mask, we would have wondered what was going on. But, this year? The CDC issued guidelines for Thanksgiving gatherings. NEVER in my life could I have imagined that!

Covid has changed our lives. And we’re supposed to thank God for that?

Well, let’s find out. Because I need help. As we face rising numbers and probably more shut downs I find myself struggling with sorrow and frustration. Maybe I’ll live in sweats and just watch TV? Because, for some weird reason, this shelter at home stuff zaps my motivation.

But I KNOW: THANKSGIVING changes everything.

In my book Unceasing: A Parent’s Guide To Conquer Worry and Pray With Power, THANKSGIVING is the first step towards transformation in anyone’s prayer life. I’ve experienced the power as it has redirected and changed me.

On page 25. I have a quote by Merlin Carothers:

The very act of praise releases the power of God into a set of circumstances and enables God to change them if this is His design... I have come to believe that the prayer of praise is the highest form of communication with God, and one that always releases a great deal of power into our lives.

Read that again: praise releases power of God into circumstances

• It declares faith that the Lord is bigger

• It spits in the enemy’s eye because as Betsy ten Boom said to Corrie: there’s no pit so deep that God’s not deeper still.

• There’s nothing stranger or more supernatural than praising God for the hard

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

See the preposition. Not FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. 

Even if can’t THANK FOR, I can THANK IN.

Though Ephesians 5:20 says- giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father. 

My secret sauce: I go ahead and thank God FOR stuff that I’m not the least thankful for. It leads my feeling to the throne and it proclaims that Jesus is bigger than the mess.

We’re headed to Thanksgiving. And our children’s books show a lovely meal of Pilgrims and Indians with bountiful tables. But the fact is they were the small scrawny remnant and would face many starving times ahead. The coming winter they would have a ration of three kernels of corn a piece.

They stopped to THANK God but they were smack dab in the middle of hardship.

How about us?

I’m sorry if you live a place that won’t let you gather much. Will you THANK Jesus anyway?

You might be quarantining right now. It might stretch right into the holiday. I’m so sorry. That stinks! Can you thank Jesus anyway?

You might have a family divided by politics, and even if you could get together, it’s best not to. These are tough times. Will you praise the Lord in the middle of that?

I have a hard time thanking the Lord IN the time of Covid. And even more FOR the outbreak. But if I stop my whining long enough, I can see small gains. Slower lifestyles. More family time. 

BUT even if I see no good thing: CAN I THANK JESUS ANYWAY?

The answer is yes, I can. I just have to choose to.

• It’s a step of faith. 

• It’s a proclamation of trust. 

• It’s an outpouring of belief.

Psalm 116:17- I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

Want to Join Me?

Leave a comment of praise below! Let’s add them all together to sing a chorus of thanksgiving to Jesus?

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