What To Be Thankful For: What Is Natural vs. God's Intervention

[makesends]

Tell you a couple stories:

Story 1: At my church a VERY large woman was in tears thanking the Lord for his goodness, at saving her infant son's life. She said that she saw him trying to put a spoon into a 120v wall receptacle. She said she ran toward him and got him away from it in the nick of time. I rolled my eyes, thinking what she should be thankful for is that she didn't trip and land on top of the poor kid! (I'm an electrician. I know several relevant facts: A). A spoon is impossible to get into the holes of a 120v 15amp receptacle B). Only one out of three holes in the receptacle actually has the potential to shock. C). Even that one hole can only shock someone if they are also grounded or touching some voltage 'potential' significantly different from what is in that one hole. D). A very heavy person can crush a child.

Story 2: In my distant past, I used to build custom residential cabinets. Yesterday I was working on some kitchen cabinets for a remodel my daughter and son-in-law are doing, which has been going very slowly. But for some reason yesterday, everything was going right. No mistakes, perfect alignment of face frames etc etc etc... I was thanking the Lord, because at every turn where normally I would have been making mistakes, I didn't. I could even go down to the basement for something, and REMEMBER! what I went down for! I got completely done with the face frames, gluing and nailing them to the cabinets--an amount of work that normally, for half-blind, half-stupid, me, should have taken a week! I was so grateful to God for doing that to me. Well, today I took my daughter and son-in-law over there to ask for a decision on something, and, wouldn't you know it --they had wanted it done in oak, not poplar, and beaded, not plain. (That glue is stronger than the wood, btw. It messed up the uprights pretty badly. It's going to take some doing to make a good job out of it.

In years past, I have scorned (in my mind) people saying, "No! God had nothing to do with it!" Because, logically, God has something to do with all fact. But, is God's involvement a question of degrees?

I would ask, a) Is there a category difference on what to credit God with and thank him vs not to thank him? b) Is there really anything for which we should not be thankful? c) How do we even know what to thank him for, besides as best we understand the facts? That heavy girl, in the first story, was she wrong to thank the Lord in her ignorance? Is her thankfulness any less valid than mine or yours? God gave me a good day yesterday. That today it is shown to be worse than useless in completing the cabinets doesn't change what God did for me, I'm thinking. Life is full of vanity and frustration, and that's good, too!

It's true that we delight in the spectacular, --miracles, interventions, breaking points and yielding of hearts and on and on-- but are those more important or harder for God to do that than to let things go on as they 'naturally' would?

I notice how seldom God gets onto our case about our ignorance of the facts. But I see in several places, the condemnation upon the unthankful.

Thoughts?

 

[ElectedbyHim]

I am thankful to God for everything, I see His loving hand all over the place in my life and His chastising hand as well.

The young adults (special needs) and staff that I cook dinner for love my cooking and rave over it. This has been a thing wherever I have been employed.

My thanks always goes to the Lord, because He gave me a brain to research different cuisines and my love for the culinary arts. My job is really not a job at all, I love what I do.

I look at my job as a ministry to people that I serve. This is not the typical mindset of an Executive Chef.

a) Is there a category difference on what to credit God with and thank him vs not to thank him?

If there is, I do not see it.

b) Is there really anything for which we should not be thankful?

Nope.

c) How do we even know what to thank him for, besides as best we understand the facts?

I do not think we really know how to thank Him because pride gets in the way.

That heavy girl, in the first story, was she wrong to thank the Lord in her ignorance? Is her thankfulness any less valid than mine or yours?

Given her ignorance on electricity and not knowing that a spoon cannot actually go into the outlet. I think she may have really believed God had saved her child.

Now my maleness will get in the way saying that woman over reacted to the situation and is a worry wart and God did not save that child's life because the child was not in a life threatening situation.

My wife has this thing about our dog getting lose and running into the street and getting hit by a car. I will say that how will the dog get loose in a 6 foot fenced in yard? I can also say if the dog can jump the 6 foot fence and get hit by a car in the street, it was God's will. ( I know, I am horrible).

I have been thanking the Lord daily that I am even alive and that He even chose a filthy rotten sinner like me to redeem.

I do not believe I thank Him enough.

This verse says that we should thank Him in everything.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

[makesends]

I am thankful to God for everything, I see His loving hand all over the place in my life and His chastising hand as well.

The young adults (special needs) and staff that I cook dinner for love my cooking and rave over it. This has been a thing wherever I have been employed.

My thanks always goes to the Lord, because He gave me a brain to research different cuisines and my love for the culinary arts. My job is really not a job at all, I love what I do.

I look at my job as a ministry to people that I serve. This is not the typical mindset of an Executive Chef.


If there is, I do not see it.

Nope.


I do not think we really know how to thank Him because pride gets in the way.


Given her ignorance on electricity and not knowing that a spoon cannot actually go into the outlet. I think she may have really believed God had saved her child.

Now my maleness will get in the way saying that woman over reacted to the situation and is a worry wart and God did not save that child's life because the child was not in a life threatening situation.

My wife has this thing about our dog getting lose and running into the street and getting hit by a car. I will say that how will the dog get loose in a 6 foot fenced in yard? I can also say if the dog can jump the 6 foot fence and get hit by a car in the street, it was God's will. ( I know, I am horrible).

I have been thanking the Lord daily that I am even alive and that He even chose a filthy rotten sinner like me to redeem.

I do not believe I thank Him enough.

This verse says that we should thank Him in everything.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

By the fact of God's self-existence, omnipotence and being first cause, it follows that EVERYTHING that is (except himself), and all fact, descends logically from his creating. Thus, even the ordinary is also God's doing. Because of God's doing, that child was indeed saved from electrocution, not because it was never in danger, but because God made things such that the child was not in danger. He is still to be thanked. Last night I thanked him for how well things went, and today I thanked him for giving me something ironic to laugh about.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

By the fact of God's self-existence, omnipotence and being first cause, it follows that EVERYTHING that is (except himself), and all fact, descends logically from his creating. Thus, even the ordinary is also God's doing. Because of God's doing, that child was indeed saved from electrocution, not because it was never in danger, but because God made things such that the child was not in danger. He is still to be thanked. Last night I thanked him for how well things went, and today I thanked him giving me something ironic to laugh about.

Exactly.

I often find myself thanking God for the pain and at time sickness in my body.

Is the pain because I am getting older (58) or consequence of sin or from God.

Some for sure, is because of my sinful youth.

Nevertheless I credit god for all the pain and sickness and give Him thanks.

I am just getting over Type A influenza, my wife says I had it because the skin medication I take breaks down the immunity system. I have never been one to get sick and the past 8 months have been crazy. Am I getting sick because of the medication or did the Lord send the sickness.

This also goes for the dermatitis issue I have.

I believe it is all from God and give Him thanks.

His sovereignty and providence is a doctrine special to my heart. I try to read everything I can get my hands on about it.

His sovereignty and providence bring me so much comfort, knowing He causes all things for my good and His glory.

There is no possible way one could possibly maintain their own salvation if it was not for His providence.

Although many believe they do.

 

[makesends]

I do not think we really know how to thank Him because pride gets in the way.

I would have rated the post 100% but for this line. But as I thought about it, you are right, in a sense. We don't know how because of our ignorant presumptions. We categorize God's acts (even those of us who claim to think otherwise) into 'natural' and 'God's deeds', in spite of ourselves. And yes, that is pride blinding us.

 

[fastfredy0]

Nevertheless I credit god for all the pain and sickness and give Him thanks.

... I can't say I've given thanks for things like this.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

... I can't say I've given thanks for things like this.

It is very difficult, especially when you are going through it.

I often wonder if my thankfulness was superficial or truly from the heart.

Wonder if Job was thankful in his physical and and mental pain. I do not recall ever reading that.

Accept....

Job 1:21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.”

 

[fastfredy0]

Wonder if Job was thankful in his physical and and mental pain. I do not recall ever reading that.

Well, I went to ChatGPT that sides with you:

Yes — while the Bible does not usually say “be thankful for your misfortunes” in those exact words, it does repeatedly teach giving thanks in hardship, trials, and suffering. Some passages even imply gratitude in the midst of affliction because of what God accomplishes through it.

Here are key examples:

---

1. Giving Thanks in All Circumstances​

First Epistle to the Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

This does not necessarily mean being thankful for evil itself, but maintaining gratitude toward God regardless of circumstances.

---

2. Rejoicing in Suffering​

Epistle to the Romans 5:3–4

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
Here the focus is on gratitude for what suffering produces spiritually.

---

3. Counting Trials as Joy​

Epistle of James 1:2–4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”
This suggests a thankful attitude toward trials because they mature faith.

---

4. Paul’s Personal Example​

Second Epistle to the Corinthians 12:9–10
Paul speaks about his “thorn in the flesh” and concludes:
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
He expresses contentment — even gladness — in hardship because it magnifies God’s grace.

---

5. Job’s Response to Loss​

Book of Job 1:21
After catastrophic loss, Job says:
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
While not explicitly “thankful for misfortune,” it shows worship and reverence even in tragedy.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

Quote

Well, I went to ChatGPT that sides with you:

Yes — while the Bible does not usually say “be thankful for your misfortunes” in those exact words, it does repeatedly teach giving thanks in hardship, trials, and suffering. Some passages even imply gratitude in the midst of affliction because of what God accomplishes through it.

Here are key examples:

---

1. Giving Thanks in All Circumstances​

First Epistle to the Thessalonians 5:18


This does not necessarily mean being thankful for evil itself, but maintaining gratitude toward God regardless of circumstances.

---

2. Rejoicing in Suffering​

Epistle to the Romans 5:3–4

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
Here the focus is on gratitude for what suffering produces spiritually.

---

3. Counting Trials as Joy​

Epistle of James 1:2–4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”
This suggests a thankful attitude toward trials because they mature faith.

---

4. Paul’s Personal Example​

Second Epistle to the Corinthians 12:9–10
Paul speaks about his “thorn in the flesh” and concludes:
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
He expresses contentment — even gladness — in hardship because it magnifies God’s grace.

---

5. Job’s Response to Loss​

Book of Job 1:21
After catastrophic loss, Job says:
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
While not explicitly “thankful for misfortune,” it shows worship and reverence even in tragedy.

Amen

 

[fastfredy0]

@ElectedbyHim
You're such a humble guy that I think your thankfulness is "truly from the heart".

 

[makesends]

It is very difficult, especially when you are going through it.

I often wonder if my thankfulness was superficial or truly from the heart.

Wonder if Job was thankful in his physical and and mental pain. I do not recall ever reading that.

Accept....

Job 1:21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.”

Yep! And 2:10 "He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."

And my favorite, which is a form of thanks, I think, and spoken while still in anguish:
From Job 19:
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
25 I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

 

[ElectedbyHim]

@ElectedbyHim
You're such a humble guy that I think your thankfulness is "truly from the heart".

You better talk to my wife about me being humble.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

Yep! And 2:10 "He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."

And my favorite, which is a form of thanks, I think, and spoken while still in anguish:
From Job 19:
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
25 I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

Thank you for this.

That is heartfelt and very personal.

His words were recorded and written on a scroll.

This is awesome.

 

[Arial]

Something I was thinking about this morning as I was going through my routine of chores. Routine has always been like a chain around my neck. Certain things that need to be done every day and for me, must be done within an order, or I am liable to not do them at all and pay the price later---cleaning the grounds basket for the coffee pot with soap and hot water, wiping down the entire coffee maker (I have a thermo carafe that holds 12 cups and I have at that point only had three of them, so that cleaning comes later) washing with soap and hot Boaz's water and food bowls, brush teeth, wash face, brush hair, make bed---and inwardly I complain all the way as though a great burden has been placed on me.

The majority of Christians may have less trivial things to complain about, but we all complain a great deal I feel certain. The weather for instance if it is less than perfect. "It's too windy, too cold, to rainy, too much snow, too hot", instead of "This is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it." He did make each day, and each dawn testifies to his faithfulness, each weather event testifies to his power and sovereignty over his creation, each meal proclaims his provision, each seen beauty and perfection proclaims his glory. Even the trees clap their hands.

It struck me how like the captives who were being rescued from slavery and blessed with the promise of a land of their own, we absently are. They witnessed God divide the sea and send them across on dry ground, and watched as he closed it over their pursuers. The witnessed him leading them safely through hostile territory with a cloud by day and and fire by night. He fed them food from heaven and brought water for them from rock. There clothes and shoes did not wear out.

And yet they complained! Instead of being thankful.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

Something I was thinking about this morning as I was going through my routine of chores. Routine has always been like a chain around my neck. Certain things that need to be done every day and for me, must be done within an order, or I am liable to not do them at all and pay the price later---cleaning the grounds basket for the coffee pot with soap and hot water, wiping down the entire coffee maker (I have a thermo carafe that holds 12 cups and I have at that point only had three of them, so that cleaning comes later) washing with soap and hot Boaz's water and food bowls, brush teeth, wash face, brush hair, make bed---and inwardly I complain all the way as though a great burden has been placed on me.

The majority of Christians may have less trivial things to complain about, but we all complain a great deal I feel certain. The weather for instance if it is less than perfect. "It's too windy, too cold, to rainy, too much snow, too hot", instead of "This is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it." He did make each day, and each dawn testifies to his faithfulness, each weather event testifies to his power and sovereignty over his creation, each meal proclaims his provision, each seen beauty and perfection proclaims his glory. Even the trees clap their hands.

It struck me how like the captives who were being rescued from slavery and blessed with the promise of a land of their own, we absently are. They witnessed God divide the sea and send them across on dry ground, and watched as he closed it over their pursuers. The witnessed him leading them safely through hostile territory with a cloud by day and and fire by night. He fed them food from heaven and brought water for them from rock. There clothes and shoes did not wear out.

And yet they complained! Instead of being thankful.

And still complained, that always amazes me and then I need to look at my ungrateful self when I complain about being in a hot kitchen at the peak of summer.

Just shows how deep pride and selfishness goes.

Even the trees clap their hands.

I never heard this phrase before, and as I sit here on my PC before going to work, I am looking out the window on a very windy day watching the trees clap their hands.

How awesome the Lord our God is, even the trees praise Him.

Thank you for that.

 

[makesends]

And still complained, that always amazes me and then I need to look at my ungrateful self when I complain about being in a hot kitchen at the peak of summer.

Just shows how deep pride and selfishness goes.


I never heard this phrase before, and as I sit here on my PC before going to work, I am looking out the window on a very windy day watching the trees clap their hands.

How awesome the Lord our God is, even the trees praise Him.

Thank you for that.

Off topic alert: Every time I hear, "trees clap their hands", and, "out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham", and, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out", it reminds me of our foolishness in supposing ourselves to be animate, sentient, and endowed with uncaused free will. Even those of us who know better--we still think that way, as though God owes us something by our very worthiness of being. --Well, maybe that isn't quite off topic after all. Tangent alert!

Psalms such as 104, 147 and 148 have a lot of references of animals having a relationship with God of depending on him, and praising him. I know it is poetry, and therefore not exactly doctrine of itself, yet, with all the things we know about God's distinctive existence compared to that of his creation, it makes sense that these supposedly non-sentient beings are not that much below us that we should be anything but thankful. Who do we think we are, after all?

"Made in the image of God". Does that point to something ontologically worthy about us? Or maybe, rather, something wonderful about HIM.

 

[makesends]

Thank you for this.

That is heartfelt and very personal.

His words were recorded and written on a scroll.

This is awesome.

Yep! And I bet he thanks God for those words! They were not just his--they were from God!

I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere they were engraved on a tablet, stone, or on a metal placard.

 

[Arial]

And still complained, that always amazes me and then I need to look at my ungrateful self when I complain about being in a hot kitchen at the peak of summer.

Just shows how deep pride and selfishness goes.


I never heard this phrase before, and as I sit here on my PC before going to work, I am looking out the window on a very windy day watching the trees clap their hands.

How awesome the Lord our God is, even the trees praise Him.

Thank you for that.

The trees clapping their hands is from Isa 55:12
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

 

[Arial]

Off topic alert: Every time I hear, "trees clap their hands", and, "out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham", and, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out", it reminds me of our foolishness in supposing ourselves to be animate, sentient, and endowed with uncaused free will. Even those of us who know better--we still think that way, as though God owes us something by our very worthiness of being. --Well, maybe that isn't quite off topic after all. Tangent alert!

Psalms such as 104, 147 and 148 have a lot of references of animals having a relationship with God of depending on him, and praising him. I know it is poetry, and therefore not exactly doctrine of itself, yet, with all the things we know about God's distinctive existence compared to that of his creation, it makes sense that these supposedly non-sentient beings are not that much below us that we should be anything but thankful. Who do we think we are, after all?

"Made in the image of God". Does that point to something ontologically worthy about us? Or maybe, rather, something wonderful about HIM.

I think---those things said in the Psalms you mentioned are metaphorically and poetically expressed but are nevertheless literal. It is just that the way of animals and trees and such give praise and have relation to him is a quiet and natural without human words and human entanglements of defining what is a relationship and what is "voice". Their relationship with their creator is pure and uncomplicated and utterly natural. It is in simply living and partaking of his provision and beauty.

His leaves catching his wind and dancing in the light and shadow of the day, displaying his glory. Is it not joy? A spotted horse on a grass covered hill raising his head from grazing and looking off into the distance suddenly shakes his mane and takes off at a high gallop just for the pleasure of it. Is that not gratitude?

 

[makesends]

I think---those things said in the Psalms you mentioned are metaphorically and poetically expressed but are nevertheless literal. It is just that the way of animals and trees and such give praise and have relation to him is a quiet and natural without human words and human entanglements of defining what is a relationship and what is "voice". Their relationship with their creator is pure and uncomplicated and utterly natural. It is in simply living and partaking of his provision and beauty.

His leaves catching his wind and dancing in the light and shadow of the day, displaying his glory. Is it not joy? A spotted horse on a grass covered hill raising his head from grazing and looking off into the distance suddenly shakes his mane and takes off at a high gallop just for the pleasure of it. Is that not gratitude?

Thank you. Amen!

I particularly love the form of the idea in, "His leaves catching his wind and dancing in the light and shadow of the day...", because it is HIS leaves and HIS wind. We are HIS creation, and it is in HIM and through HIM that we are not just able but the specifics of what we do to praise him, if any way valid, is HIS doing. It is who we are, in him.

But, no, we demand free will for it to be real, instead of what HE establishes.

Those given crowns in Heaven will lay them at HIS feet. All credit and glory to HIM. HE is the one who has done this! Our only glory is IN HIM.