The LEArning Curve

  …give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in ALL circumstances?  Really?  I don’t know about you, but many would say this is impossible or, at the very least, extremely difficult to do! It’s easy to give thanks when life is going well and good things are happening. BUT…give thanks when a family member just died? Or do you have a student whose parents are divorcing? Or I just lost my job and have no idea how I’m going to make ends meet? Or my child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or disease? Or a family member is struggling with an addiction? Or a parent with dementia? Or?????

A story that comes to mind when I find myself having difficulty living out the passage above is the one that follows:

Between 1618 and 1648, the continent of Europe was the scene of one of the bloodiest wars in history, known as the “Thirty Years’ War.” Under the leadership of Martin Luther, John Calvin, Menno Simons, and others, the revolt of those called “Protestants” against the Roman Catholic Church had resulted in the formation of new churches — Lutheran, Calvinist, Anabaptist, and the Church of England. In the early days of the Reformation in Germany, these churches survived only through the protection of German princes who identified with the reformers. That resulted in the German princes being attacked by the armies of the surrounding Catholic provinces of Germany and Catholic countries like France and Sweden. While the war might be seen as a conflict between the growing independent provinces and the central authority of the Holy Roman Empire, it began as, and remained, a religious war.

Whatever the causes, it was an incredibly bloody war. The real losers in the war were the German people. Over 300,000 were killed in battle, and millions more died of malnutrition and disease. Wandering, undisciplined troops robbed, burned, and looted almost at will.

It was during this time that a man named Martin Rinkart lived. Martin was born in Eilenberg, worked his way through the University of Leipzig, and was ordained as a Lutheran minister before becoming the pastor in his hometown at the age of thirty-one. He arrived just as the Thirty Years’ War began to take its terrible toll on the region around Eilenberg.  Eilenberg, being a walled city, drew a steady stream of refugees. During the war, famine and disease spread throughout the area, killing hundreds of thousands. Rinkart’s home became a refuge for many, even though he often had difficulty in providing food and clothing for his own family. At the height of the terrible plague of 1637, Rinkart was the only remaining minister. He conducted forty to fifty funeral services a day, often assisting in digging the graves. Most of his own family members died during this time.

Soon after the Thirty Years’ War ended, Martin Rinkart wrote a hymn for a service of celebration—Nun Danket Alle Gott—Now Thank We All Our God!

Despite the difficulties, hardships, and tragedies Martin experienced during those years of war, he was able to maintain a heart of thankfulness, which led him to give thanks and praise to God. His example helps us realize that giving thanks in the midst of troubles points us to the One who is able to deliver us from those.

If we practice giving thanks in the small challenges and trials of our lives, we will be better equipped to give thanks in life’s most difficult times.

If there was ever a time when we needed to be thankful it is in the hour of crisis; because if we are not thankful, we will be overwhelmed by despair.  (Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and philosopher)

Source: Osbeck, Kenneth. 101 Hymn Stories. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI.