Bryant Wright, Founder
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
One foggy night many years ago, a near tragedy unfolded on a large lake. An explosion rocked a crowded houseboat, and within moments the vessel was engulfed in flames. Panic spread quickly as people scrambled to escape.
Fortunately, a resident on the shore saw what was happening. Without hesitation, he dove into the dark water and swam out to the burning boat. In the middle of the chaos, he directed the frightened passengers toward the shoreline. Miraculously, although the situation could have ended in disaster, every single person made it safely to shore.
Later that night, after the victims and emergency workers had left, the man sat by a small fire talking with a lone reporter. After nearly an hour of conversation, the reporter asked one final question.
“Is there anything at all you’d like to say about what happened tonight?”
The man paused for a moment and stared into the fire.
Then he said quietly,
“Yeah. Not one person said thanks. Not one.”
One interesting aspect of human nature is that when we find ourselves in a desperate situation, we cry out to God for help. Even skeptics often begin to pray when facing a serious illness, a frightening diagnosis, or an overwhelming crisis. When we need God’s intervention, we pray as never before.
Paul understood how easily gratitude slips from our hearts. That’s why he wrote to believers in Thessalonica, urging them to “be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.” Gratitude isn’t just good manners toward God—it’s His will for us, a way of keeping our hearts anchored to Him in every season of life.
Yet when God answers and helps us, we often move on with life and forget to say thank you. And in ways far greater than that man on the lake, God has rescued us again and again.
Don’t let that be true of you. Take time today to thank God—for His help, His grace, and the countless ways He rescues us every single day.
DIG DEEPER
Read “Let Us Thank Him for Our Food” by Jonathan Munson
