The Bible says that we should be thankful in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) This means even when things are not going the way we hoped or planned. I’ve always thought I understood this and I did my best to give praise even in the bad times. To thank God for the good in my life. (The fact that I’m alive, that I’m redeemed, that I have a home, food, water, etc.). And this is, of course, a very important part of being thankful. We are blessed daily in so many ways. But what if there’s more? What if we began to thank God in advance for the outcome he already has planned?
Think about it. Hindsight is 20/20, right? How often do we look back on a difficult experience and see how it has brought us to something better? Or how it has changed us in a way that has made us a better witness for Jesus? What if we tried to make foresight 20/20? If we really believe that God causes all things to work for the good in those who love him and have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28), then the good is already “money in the bank”, so to speak. It is already a done deal! It is already a finished chapter in the story of our life.
I’m going to give it a try. The next time I find myself in a situation that has seemingly thrown me off track, I’m going to pray: “Thank you, God, for the good you have already accomplished with this situation. I can’t wait to get to that chapter and read it for myself!”
I’ve heard it said that “worry is interest paid on a debt before it’s due”. I guess that would make thankfulness in foresight like getting the trophy at the beginning of the race – because we’re guaranteed to win!
