Always, it’s important that we learn to thank the Lord for all the wonderful things we experience, and also for those things we may not really consider to be very nice. Some people are only joyful and thankful to the Lord when things seem to be going on fine, but gripe in the face of adversity. It ought not to be so. Irrespective and independent of the situation or your immediate circumstances, you should always give thanks to the Father. Worship and praise Him, no matter what! I’ll tell you a story.

 

Some years ago, a Christian gentleman who worked with the government had been praying and expecting promotions on his job. Then, there was a problem at his office; he was accused of certain things, for which he wasn’t really at fault. So, he prayed that God would vindicate him. Instead of being vindicated, he was pronounced guilty, and as a result, he was demoted. Everything went wrong for him. In that state, however, he kept attending Church services, serving and worshipping the Lord, confident that God would vindicate him.

 

Not long afterwards, there was a change of government, and all those who were ahead of him were fired, but he was retained! And since he was then the most senior of all those that were retained, he became the new boss. If he had been promoted as he had been expecting, he’d have been amongst the senior cadre of staff that were laid off by the new government.

 

Sometimes, we have no idea what the Lord is doing behind the scenes on our behalf, which is why the Bible says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). “In everything” means “in every situation”; give Him thanks no matter what! When you look at the year 2015 in retrospect, be joyful and excited in your spirit, thankful to the Lord for the triumphs and glories you expect in the coming year.