The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that there is a time for everything on earth. This means that, regardless of our situation, we will experience times of peace and times of crisis. Times of crisis are often the most dreaded due to the many negative effects they can have on our lives.

The good news is that crises do not spell disaster for everyone. Jesus said that crises can shake everyone except those who have chosen to build their house on the rock.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

Building one’s house on the rock means living according to everything prescribed in the Word of God. It means choosing a life of radical submission and obedience to God. A person who chooses to build on the rock is someone who continually gives thanks to God in all things.

It is about this kind of person that Jesus promised no crisis would shake them. This person will remain steadfast in the face of all imaginable circumstances. In times of crisis, we have a reason to give thanks to God. It is only God who can deliver us from the crisis. When Jesus faced the death of his friend Lazarus, He chose to give thanks to God.

“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.‘” (John 11:39-44)

Let us not wait until we are in the midst of a crisis to give thanks to God. Instead, let us learn to give thanks in the midst of the crisis.

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalms 50:14-15)

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This text is an excerpt from the book A LIFE MOTIVATED BY THANKSGIVING written by Dominique MBOG.

We invite you to read the following article, “MEMORY NEEDS TO BE PRESERVED.”