"Blessings In Disguise"

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Ephesians 5:20

Ok, so did you figure out what it says? If you will look very closely and at the colors, you will see that it says “Blessing ‘in’ Disguise.” I know this time of year we zero in on thanking God for the many blessings He has given us, and we should. Not just on Thanksgiving but every day!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

But how many times do we really thank God “in” the trials that come our way? How many times do we thank God “for” the trials? Ouch, that hurts, doesn’t it? I’ve had to rethink my view on this in the past years. I used to think that God only told us to thank Him “in” the trials not particularly “for” the trials. After all what sane person would say, “Oh, thank you Lord for this pain, this trial, this heartbreak, this heart- wrenching situation?” But if we look at some of these verses, God does say “for” all things (good and bad) to give thanks. Ephesians 5:20 (above)

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

1 Peter 5:10

To the normal person, that doesn’t even make sense, does it? As Christians we all have our share of tragedy, heartbreak, and disappointments, don’t we? We have all been in situations where we look toward the Heavens and wonder how much more we could possibly take. In the midst of the storm, it is hard to see or realize that there most certainly will be clear skies again.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

But how many of those storms or trials when you look back later can you say, “Now I can see what God was doing in my life even though at the time I didn’t understand, and I was in so much pain”? Those are Blessings in Disguise! The Bible tells us that God works EVERYTHING out for our good. Another promise.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

2 Corinthians 4:17

I have had this happen in my life many times. Years ago, I wasn’t feeling well for many months and through the sickness and testing it was discovered that I had cancer, and my kidney was removed. If it had not been for the sickness and the testing, I would not have found out about the cancer, and it could have taken my life. I would say that was a huge Blessing in Disguise! Thank God that He ALWAYS knows what He is doing even when we wander around in the dark crying out for

help. Trials sometimes reveal later what we can’t see now.

Imagine how Joseph felt looking up in that dark well when his own brothers threw him in there like garbage to be thrown away. But fast forward many years later when Joseph had gained such power and prestige and was able to save those same brothers from famine. God surely does work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Sometimes trials and pain teach us what comfort never could.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Psalm 119:71

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Hebrews 12:11

So, the next time you are in a trial, and you think God doesn’t care, remember that

sometimes He takes us through trials to give us a GREATER Blessing in Disguise!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!