Giving Thanks In All Conditions

Lately it seems like I have had more surf sessions, where the conditions were in the poor range rather than the fair to good range. The funny thing is, I have had way more fun on the poor forecasted days then I have on the good forecasted days. I have wondered why that is. Well as I got the chance to study 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Paul is encouraging the early believers to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Give Thanks in all circumstances. Do poor surf days count as all circumstances? What if we as followers of Jesus, were giving thanks in all circumstances? We are talking about small blown out surf. How do I give thanks in those conditions? Or when you wake up early and the south wind is just killing the face of the waves. What if we gave thanks only when no one is out in the water and you get to surf with only your buddies? Or are we giving thanks for the days we paddle out and the fact that we even get a chance to surf. You see how if we shift our perspective, just a little and give thanks for all the many blessings we have. We can turn a poor surf day into an epic surf day. Remember we are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We are chosen, we are forgiven. We get the privilege and honor to be a part of His Kingdom. Now that is something to give thanks about. So the next time we find ourselves getting bummed over the poor surf forecast or the waves are not that good to surf on, let’s give thanks. The next time life comes crashing down on us and everything seems to have fallen down let’s give thanks.