A Proper State of Mind

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

When I read this verse, the word Thanksgiving popped out. Some may wonder if this post is late – wasn’t Thanksgiving last month?

Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday, it’s a state of mind.

Paul is telling us when we submit our requests to God to be thankful even before we know what the answer is. As Christians if there is one word that should describe us, it would be thankful.

Why? Because of what God has done for us.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Look at the tense of the verse. “Christ died for us.” This is written in the past tense, meaning it already happened, but at the beginning of the verse Paul uses the present tense when he says “God demonstrates His own love” – Paul didn’t say demonstrated which would have matched the tense of his description of Christ’s death, but he used it in the present tense meaning that God didn’t just demonstrate His love back then, but He does so NOW and continues to do so.

When I reflect back on how I lived during my youth, particularly the years when I wasn’t living for Christ, but doing my best to run from Him, and then realize that in those moments Christ died for me so that I could come back to know Him, it really hits home.

I’m sure most of us can look back at times where from His perspective we weren’t very lovable, but that is precisely when He loved us the most.

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)