Thankful in All Circumstances: Paul's Prison Song of Joy

When Gratitude Is Hard

Everyone has seen it; the pictures of devastation after a natural disaster, people standing in the ruins of their home and talking about being thankful their lives were spared. There is something about losing material possessions that makes us realize the preciousness of our lives. But when the lives of our loved ones aren't spared, then, oh then, it is so so hard to see anything to be thankful for.

If you have ever done something for someone and they failed to thank you, you know exactly how it feels. You may feel hurt, sad, or maybe just a bit angry. Every day God provides for us in ways we often don't recognize until later.

Are we remembering to be grateful for things He has done, or even for things He has chosen not to do when we’ve asked Him? Do we recognize His hand of provision or do we chalk things up to luck? No matter how things go we should have a heart full of thanks to our Father.

Thankful in All Circumstances

Over and over Scripture reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians from a Roman prison. In these circumstances, what did Paul say about thankfulness? In Colossians 3:15-17 he addresses the church and in these three verses reminds them three times to be thankful.

Let Peace Rule (Colossians 3:15)

First, in verse 15 he uses language that in Greek would have reminded the reader of the one who presides over the Olympic Games of that time. When he says,

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

The presider over our hearts, the one who rules, is God's peace not man's peace, God's peace. Peace rules like an umpire at a game. He prevents chaos. God makes sure things are orderly and done properly. When people are not at peace, their lives are often out of balance, fearful, or being pulled in all directions. They can't lay their heads and rest because their mind is racing.

This peace is not just for us alone, but for the whole body of believers. Are you able to be at peace with other believers around you? Do you find yourself at odds with other Christians? Notice Paul says to let the peace rule. We have the choice to be at peace within ourselves and with others. We are one body in Christ. Then Paul says that we should be thankful.

We should find ourselves thankful for the ruling presence of the peace of Christ. Remember Christ is the Prince of Peace. It is He that makes it possible for us to experience it. God is not a God of chaos. He brings order to the world, to our innermost being, and to the people we associate with, if we let Him. For these reasons we should experience thankfulness. But Paul has still more to say about being thankful.

Let the Word Dwell Richly (Colossians 3:16)

In Colossians 3:16 (ESV) Paul writes,

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Paul's advice under the direction of the Holy Spirit is for the church to keep Christ's words in them and with these words we should teach each other, and if necessary even reprimand one another while we use wisdom. This isn't one person lording it over another. This isn't an admonishment of superiority, I am right and you are wrong. This is gently and humbly using Scripture to correct misunderstandings.

It may surprise some that Paul encourages us to sing! On Sunday mornings do we rely on our choirs or Praise teams alone to worship God in song or do we participate to the best of our ability? And when we sing he tells us it should be with a thankful heart. A famous example of a hymn of thankfulness is "Now Thank We All Our God" by Martin Rinkart (1636). Many of us have sung this famous hymn, written during the darkest days of the Thirty Years’ War as an expression of trust and gratitude.

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers' arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

Just like Martin Rinkart, who turned deep gratitude into a hymn the church still sings today, Paul wants thankfulness to fill our hearts so fully that it becomes our own song to the Lord. Have you ever considered that perhaps inside of you is a hymn waiting to be written? Sing praises to our loving Father. Maybe no one but you will ever hear them, but that's OK, because God hears your praise.

Do Everything in Jesus’ Name (Colossians 3:17)

Finally, Paul comes to the end of his own song of thanks. In Colossians 3:17 he reminds the Colossian church,

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Can you imagine what our lives would be like if everything thing we did and every word we spoke was done in Jesus name and each time we thanked God for the opportunity? If we only looked at the world like Paul wanted us to, everything we did would be in praise of Jesus and the Father who sent Him.

The next time we speak or act, think of Jesus. Thank Him that you are able to be His witness to the world. Thank Him for another opportunity to be in the land of the living. And thank Him, how can we not?, for mercies we can’t even find words to describe!

A Personal Hymn of Gratitude

A couple of years ago in a moment of gratitude I wrote this song. May it bless you.

Our Light, Our Life

-by Carol Plafcan

Our light, our life, our hope and rest

To you we raise our praise— requests.

Our world in darkness you have blessed

with beauty, love, and peacefulness.

In you alone the shadows flee,

In you alone we've been set free,

Your loving light it searches me

Into the deepest parts of me.

I cannot hide what's deep within,

A new good work you will begin.

Your light uncovers all my sin,

And then it is that I begin

To see I'm blessed to trust in you,

and blessed am I to run to you,

Your arms so wide and it is true

I don't receive what I am due.

Your light of life it dwells in me,

It gives a chance for me to be,

A life renewed and finally free

To feel the Spirit part of me.

We are the light this world must know.

Our light must shine like His and grow

To spread His love so it will flow

O'er everyone who wants to know

That Jesus is our King of Kings!

The reason for our everything!

The hope secure that we should bring

To everyone and let us sing

Of His great love and faithfulness,

Who stands with us in every test,

Who in His arms we find our rest,

And bless His Holy Righteousness!

To hear this song you can go here: Our Light, Our Life