Cristine Eastin

The bounty we enjoy is truly amazing—whether a full Thanksgiving dinner or a crust of bread—whether rich or poor—we have eternal life with Christ.

I don’t understand why there are hungry people in this world.

I don’t understand why children suffer.

I don’t understand war.

Dementia. Poverty. Cancer. Abuse. Addiction. Injustice…and all the other ills that wreck lives.

But scripture tells us to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)

And I know: Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15 NIV)

And as the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1: 9-14 NIV)

In spite of it all, in all circumstances, let us give joyful thanks.