Thank God for Them

“I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

The apostle Paul spent eighteen months on his second missionary journey in the wealthy city of Corinth where he established a church. The New Testament book of 1 Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote in response to a report of some problems the new church was experiencing. There are some issues Paul needs to address, but he begins this letter with these encouraging words: “I always thank my God for you.” The Corinthian church was experiencing problems with conduct within the church. Paul addresses their lack of genuine love, disorder in worship and misuse of spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians is a letter of correction, but Paul isn’t frustrated. He is thankful.  

Sometimes we experience conflict in relationships. The kids won’t listen. Our spouse doesn’t understand. Our friends seem indifferent. Sometimes issues need to be addressed, but before you address those issues, take a moment to tell those loved ones that you are thankful for them. What if you started a conversation with your teen by saying, “I just want you to know that I am thankful for you.”? What if you said to your husband or wife, “Honey, I know we have our differences, but I thank God for you every day.”? I wonder how different the outcome of our conversations would be if we begin them as Paul did by telling them how thankful we are to have them in our lives.