Three Things to Be Thankful For

In difficult times, it can be easy to focus on the negative. What positive things can we be thankful for during the current pandemic?

It is often easy to focus on what we don’t have, on things we really want or on things that would make life more enjoyable. This is very evident during the current pandemic. Many have had to self-quarantine to protect themselves and others from exposure to the virus. In many areas, certain items became almost impossible to find.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul encouraged the brethren: “In everything give thanks.” Did he really mean everything? This was the apostle who was whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and whose life was in constant peril (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). Surely, he did not mean to give thanks in literally everything?

A close look at the word everything helps answer that question. Since Paul didn’t include a noun after the word, according to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, “everything” here “signifies ‘in every matter, or condition.’”  

So, yes, Paul did mean that we should give thanks in every situation we find ourselves in. How does this apply to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can we be thankful for in our current situation?

Here are three things we can be thankful for:

1. Online communication.

Perhaps the hardest part for many has been the isolation due to being self-quarantined. Our congregations haven’t been able to meet in person for many weeks. Many of us haven’t seen our brethren for several weeks, whereas before we’d see each other at least every seven days.

How are we to be “exhorting one another,” as we are instructed in Hebrews 10:25, when we can’t even congregate? Thanks to today’s technology, we have the option of communicating with other people through a variety of platforms. If you find the right platform, you can easily talk with people (even a group) from around the world. The Internet provides many opportunities for people to contact others, whether it be through Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom or a wide variety of other platforms.  

If someone doesn’t have a reliable Internet connection, a simple phone call to check on him or her can still brighten the person’s day. Many people also enjoy getting letters or cards in the mail. We can be thankful for these means of communication that enable us to keep in touch with each other when we can’t physically be together.

2. Preaching of the gospel.

Despite the current situation, the Church has still been able to preach the gospel to the world. Many prophecy articles on Life, Hope & Truth have seen an increase in views since the pandemic began. People are also viewing articles about encouraging Bible verses. We can be thankful that the crisis has driven some to Life, Hope & Truth looking for answers.

Bible prophecy shows that this will not always be the case. In the end times, the true Church will come under intense persecution (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 6:9-11). During this coming time, the Church will not be able to preach the gospel in the same way it can today. We can be thankful that we haven’t entered that time yet and can still preach the gospel to the world.

To learn more about the preaching of the gospel in the end times, read “This Gospel Will Be Preached.”

3. Hope from God.

On the Mount of Olives, Christ warned the disciples about pestilences coming in the end times (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11). Unfortunately, the coronavirus will not be the last disease to strike fear into the world. Christ’s prophecy shows that disease outbreaks will become more common as we approach the end time.

We can have hope that these will pass away. Revelation 20:14 shows that after the Great White Throne Judgment, “Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.” God gives us a taste of this world in the following chapter: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

God’s plan reveals the hope that we have—the hope of a future time when disease and death will be things of the past.

Despite the current situation, we can still be thankful for the blessings God has given us.

What other things can you think of to be thankful for during this difficult time?

To read scriptures that can help you focus on the positive in negative situations, visit our “Encouraging Bible Verses” pages.