Devastating Flood In Nashville – The Challenge of Giving Thanks
A weather front stalled over Nashville, Tennessee and surrounding areas for the last two days dumping record-breaking water and flooding the surrounding rivers. Over a thousand people had to be rescued. Beautiful homes had water up to the roof. Close to a dozen people died as a result. The Cumberland River just seven blocks down our street went nearly ten feet over flood stage. As I write it is still rising. Businesses and homes were flooded – most without flood insurance. The interstates were closed with trucks backed up for miles and nowhere to go. Our own building where Sharon and I live had the basement flooded with about 6 inches of water.
I went downstairs to view our stored Gospel Shoes that we donate sitting in water. Our maple furniture that we have had since we were married, along with antique furniture stood in contaminated water. I called our sons to help move it. While I waited I decided to wade the water and drag as much to the only dry room in the huge basement.
Why I tell you this has spiritual significance. I distinctly remember carrying an antique chair and sloshing through the water up to my shins. Half way to the dry area I remembered a message I wrote recently that had to do with giving thanks in all things and the power that it provided. I almost smiled and said out loud, “Thank you
Lord, for this mess for out of it will surely come some good thing. Thank you.”
I quietly gave thanks for having it not nearly as bad as some who had lost so much more. That is one aspect of this concept. The other is giving thanks when you cannot find a comparison. The latter is the most significant because it is couched in darkness and not knowing and yet giving thanks. This is an important element of FAITH. Faith is when you cannot see, sense, or know. To give thanks in the face of normally unthankful situations leverages the principle of faith. I like to think of it as laughing in the face of the devil!
Can we do it? Will we think to do it in a time of crisis?
Give thanks in all things and offer it when you can as a sacrifice to God and you will leverage a wonderful principle for your life.
1Th 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Psa 116:17 “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.”
This is truly the practical application of Giving Thanks even in a flood. And the storms and floods of life will come. Be prepared. Apply Thanksgiving in Faith and experience the power and peace of God.
Jerry Smith
www.signalhillfoundation.org
