At this time of year, it’s easy to be thankful for our many blessings in life: family, food, shelter, jobs, everything that we have been given over the course of the year… the list can go on and on.
But how many of us ever take time to thank God for the things that we have lost?
Philippians 3:8 says “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…” (NIV)
It is sometimes hard to see in the moment that your unanswered prayers are the best for us. We think we must have this thing, or that person, in our lives. But we have to remember that the one who created us knows much more than we about what is best. We are told to ask and believe, as if it is already so. Some call this the “name it and claim it” form of prayer. I’m personally not a fan of this – at least not in the way that some people today think it works. But that’s for another post…
The Bible says “This is the confidence that we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14,15 NIV)
The key words here being “according to his will“.
Many times, we ask for things that are not in alignment with His Will. Sometimes we may get what we request in prayer – through our own means – but if it is not according to his will we will ultimately lose it. And often, we don’t lose it until after suffering much pain. This is the result of our not trusting in God’s Will…in not trusting Him for everything that we need in this life.
How hard is it for us to be thankful for our losses? As I grow in my Christian walk, I’m amazed at the people and things that I am thankful NOT to have in my life anymore. There are those that I can look back on and thank God that I don’t have them anymore because, in each case, I can see that they were a hindrance to my spiritual growth and my relationship with Jesus. Does this take time? Definitely! Sometimes many, many, many years pass before we can see the fruitfulness of our losses. But we can hold tight to the Word, which tell us “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). When we grasp this and truly believe it, we free ourselves to praise and worship and rejoice in our losses.
ALL THINGS. Even our losses. Sometimes – especially our losses!
This Thanksgiving, don’t just be thankful for the things you’ve gained – thank God for the things you’ve lost, as well. Count them all rubbish, for you have gained Christ!
What is something that you have lost that you are thankful not to have now?
What do you call “rubbish” because you’ve gained Christ by losing it?
it’s very, very, very difficult to find a distinct voice blogging about thanksgiving – but this was definitely a unique twist on thankfulness. there are many things i’ve lost for which i’ve never expressed thanks, but am grateful for nonetheless. The one that first comes to mind is the loss of my need to be a wordly success. Climbing the corporate ladder was once the primary goal in my life. Thankfully, it is gone and has been replaced by living a life pleasing to my Lord and Savior.
Thank you for giving me a reason to remember.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing, Vanessa! You know, that was one of the things that came to my mind as I was writing this post, as well. I used to be “successful” in the business world – back in the late 90s and Y2K – in, guess what…the IT world. Then God ripped the carpet out from under me. In one week’s time, I had major surgery, got laid off, and my marriage dissolved. Talk about a ton of bricks crashing down around me… But looking back, I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. Because it humbled me. It helped me to see others who are going through the same situations, and it made me realize that worldly success means nothing. By whatever means He needs to – He will eventually get our attention! Many times, that means taking away what we *think* is most important to us – so that we can truly see that He is.