Thankful

So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” -John 11:40-44

Jesus was thankful. Even before He asked God for help, Jesus thanked God for listening. It is important for us to understand this. Jesus knew He could raise Lazarus from the dead but He still turned to God. His thank you came before the miracle because He knew it could only be done with God’s help. He was thankful just for having God’s guidance.

Do we thank God for just being there? Are we offering thanks before God answers our prayers, just knowing that we would be nothing without Him, that no matter what happens, God is our God and for that we are blessed. And are we willing to thank God out loud for what He provides in our life? Jesus was intentional in letting those around Him know that His power came from God and Jesus purposefully thanked God out loud for what He was about to do. His confidence in God was astounding and He was ready to give God credit before He even got what He was asking for. Do you thank God in advance for His help? Do you trust God so much that you can thank Him before you get your answers? What if God answers differently than you were expecting, does he even get a thank you?

Thankfulness is a sign of trust. When we can hand over our fears and our concerns and trust God with our deepest desires, thanking Him in advance shows that we hand over control and trust that whatever comes is perfect and good. Thanking God is admitting that His will is best, even when answers don’t come like we expect. Don’t wait to say thank you! Be thankful in all circumstances, trusting God to help you in your need.