Five Reasons to Thank God When You Feel There is Nothing to Thank Him for

Though negative pressures of life crowd our soul at times, if we make an effort and focus upon the Author of Eternal Life Himself, we will find strength to endure whatever may come our way. To help us, there are five things about God that are exclusive to Him and therefore we are assured that they will always exist.

1. God's Omniscience

   Perhaps one of the most comforting attributes of God is the fact that He knows all things: "...God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." -- 1 John 3:20
   There is nothing, whether material or immaterial, that God does not know. It can really boggle our minds to even start to think of all that God knows, down to the smallest details.
   There is no way that anyone can arrive at a definite and accurate number of how many stars there are throughout the universe. However, God knows, and He even knows how many molecules there are in all the stars combined.
   He knows how many breaths you took this day and exactly how many molecules entered your lungs and how many came out. He knows all about your spirit, soul, and body. "... the very hairs of your head are all numbered." -- Matthew 10:30
   While some might consider the omniscience of God somewhat frightening, when Christ spoke those words as recorded by the Holy Spirit in Matthew He meant them as comfort to us. He wants us to stop being overly concerned and trust completely in Him.
   He knows the precise moment you were conceived and when your body will expire -- or be changed at the rapture if you are ready.
   He knows our past, present, and future hurts, pains, disappointments, happiness, troubles and all. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." -- Proverbs 15:3
   For those that fully trust Him, these verses, and the many others like them, bring soul-soothing comfort.
   And this is exactly what He desires each person to do -- to fully trust Him through Jesus Christ.
   When we, or anyone else, does not know what to do, how to handle a situation, what will happen, or any other question, God most certainly does, and we should heartily thank Him that He does.
   The longer you live in your present body the more you will realize that many of the so-called facts that we know change from one generation to another, or even within a shorter time interval.
   God's knowledge is complete and accurate. Sure, He does not tell us everything. We are not supposed to know everything, and much of that is so we really walk by faith and not by sight.
   The very fact that God knows all things indicates that He cares. His total and perfect knowledge of everything is one thing that we can always give Him thanks for.

2. Thank God He is Everywhere

   I must confess. When it comes to applied theology, I want it in its purest form. So, when I see a mug that has "God could not be everywhere, so He made mothers" emblazoned on it I feel like painting over that sentence because it is just not true, and encourages people to think of God in a limited way.
   I've come across writings of some rabbis that indicate God is not everywhere and I have to wonder how they came to that conclusion when their very own Holy Scriptures state in Jeremiah 23:24, "Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."
   Please note carefully that Lord is LORD -- all capital letters, indicating that Yahweh Himself said He fills heaven and earth.
   Yet many in society do not think so. There is even a major cult that teaches that Yahweh is on a planet somewhere far from earth. What foolishness that is!
   We must see God for Who He is, exactly as the Holy Scriptures reveal Him. We must also see in these Scriptures that our sense of certain aspects of the presence of God depends upon our own personal spiritual condition.
   To limit God in our minds is a tragic mistake with the result being that we ourselves become limited.
   Instead, we should realize that God is everywhere -- and rejoice in that fact that never changes.
   This is one way how true Christians endure imprisonments and other troubles. After all, by the Holy Spirit David writes (Psalm 139:7-8), "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." I did not say it was easy for those suffering, but they endure, because God is there.
   Yet, there are times some feel that God is nowhere around, at least near them. However, His Word says He is everywhere.
   His omnipresence, like all of His attributes, must be accepted in faith, but God is so gracious as to even give us that faith if we ask.

3. His Omnipotence

   If we look back in history, we will see there have been numerous leaders and nations that seemed extremely powerful. It appeared there was no end to the kingdom's strength and that it might last almost forever. However, history shows they failed, with even some kingdoms brought to the point of non-existence.
   
   Where is Hitler, Mussolini, Napoleon, the Caesars, Alexander the Great and all of the others? Where is Chaldea, Edom, Moab and many more?
   Back in the 1950's and 60's the Communists were the big enemies. Well, they have since fizzled out. Now it is the Muslim extremists some tremble at, but why? They, too, shall pass.
   Do not fear man, but reverence your Creator -- He Who spoke the universe into existence. Think about it. He could speak it out of existence too, or say to Earth, "begone," but He does not. That's one aspect of His omnipotence that we should thank Him for -- by His mercy, love and wisdom, and no doubt more, He permits us to exist.
   Another thing to thank Him for regarding His omnipotence -- only He is omnipotent. Much of His "intelligent" creation has trouble properly handling the limited power they already have.
   His power goes beyond the limitations of man. It amazed Christ's disciples when He said, "...a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven," and added, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
   When the disciples heard that, they asked, "Who then can be saved?"
   His reply, of course, was, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
   We must keep in mind though that God is not a genie in a bottle waiting for us to do the right thing then granting our wishes. Rather, He moves in His omnipotence by His sovereign will in all holiness.
   Indeed, thank Him that He alone is all powerful. That, one day, the kingdoms of the whole world will crumble, and Christ shall return in glory. Then, Revelation 19:6 shall vividly come to pass: "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
   And, as it is written in Isaiah 9:7a, "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end."

4. Thank Him that He is Eternal

   We are creatures in time. Our own beginning was when God spoke our spirit into existence. Later, we were born and soon found out about time in this world -- and that our bodies are "programmed" to reach an expiration point.
   
   Yet, He is, always was,and always will be. This is another great attribute of God to thank Him for. I l like to say He is timeless, but is in time with us. In fact, if we closely examine the Word of God, we will find that He is not only in our present time, but is in our past and is in our future, even before we get there. In other words, while we think of our future at times as "tomorrow I have to be here or there, or I need to do something," God is already there in our future.
   That, indeed, His eternalness is something to thank God for. Only God knows if we will face some great tragedy on the morrow, and only He is there before it occurs. He is already there, ready to help us if we ask Him.
   This can bring great solace to us as we pray. We should be praising and thanking Him when we pray, and the very fact that He is eternal should overwhelm us with comfort. It is good to thank God that He is eternal.
   Note this scene in heaven (Revelation 4:8): "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
   I have felt a tremendous blessing while praising God when I speak, with meaning, the words of the four beasts -- "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." As we say that in worship, it almost seems like we are joining that sacred chorus in heaven.
   We must thank Him that He is eternal, keeping in mind the holy admonitions of Luke 21:33. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away," and 1 John 2:17, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

5. Thank God He is Immutable

   Things around us constantly change. Buy a new item, sooner or later it is old, worn out, in need of repair, or broken. We ourselves certainly change, spiritually and physically.
   Churches, denominations, spiritual movements and more change. Many people have left their churches after doctrinal changes were made. In some cases, groups combine, thinking they will fare better in "unity," only to find they have lost some distinctions that set them above others in holiness.
   I have seen people who once attended a denominational church. Then, the denomination changed, and those people felt like they have been abandoned -- or something has been stolen from them. And, they are probably right. This is how I personally felt in 2003 when the General Council of the Assemblies of God had made certain changes.
   Spiritual leaders and churches once walking in holiness become tainted, stained with sin. Sometimes I wonder how many became completely discouraged when Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swagart fell from grace. Those that were overly discouraged did not have their focus upon God Who is immutable.
   Only God cannot be changed, altered, corrupted or destroyed. That is one reason why we should firmly and completely ground our faith in Him. We need to have His fulness activated in our lives through Jesus Christ.
   Again, we should feel great comfort and thank Him that He is immutable. "I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." -- Malachi 3:6
   Indeed, His immutability can assure us His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, and eternalness remain pure and constant.

Always Look to Him

Satan would, at times, have us to feel that our entire world is falling apart. The fear that wells up within us urges us to look for help apart from God. A serious mistake will be made if we do, and removing our focus from God will cause us to walk down a treacherous path that will invite more turmoils.

Instead, we should steadfastly place our hearts and minds upon God, praising Him for His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, eternalness, and immutability.