eu-charis and the secret of joy

In the Greek New Testament books of the Bible, which commonly are called ‘the New Testament”, we often meet up with the word eu-charis (in all its conjugations). It practically is always translated as ‘giving thanks’. And rightly so. The Greek word is made up of ‘eu’ (=well) and charis, which means gratuitous joy, a favor. The Greek language shows very nicely that thanks and joy are linked together. Expressing thanks gives joy. Thankful people are happy people. In the interpersonal sphere, we find it normal to say thanks for a favor given. He who knows God has many more reasons to give thanks! For health, a roof over one’s heads, for food and drink, family and friends, and for having pleasure in his work, and so on. These good things are not accidental twist of fate, but are graciously granted to us by God. And so we thank Him for that! We count our blessings and joyfully give thanks to the Giver of all these blessings. But it doesn’t stop there. He who recognizes God as GOD, i.e., as the PLACER of everything, knows that the negative things also are determined by Him. Sickness, pain, trouble and suffering do not happen by themselves. God gives them a place in His plan. Not because GOD wants us to have evil things, as such. After all, no one but GOD is good. But temporary evil is necessary to make evident the greatest possible good, GOD Himself. The minuses that we see now will turn out to be pluses… pluses that are not yet completed! God is GOD and has EVERYTHING perfectly under control. Whoever realize this, is able to thank God in everything; and is able to know joy in the greatest of troubles. Nothing happens for nothing. In the world, they speak of ‘positive thinking’ and by this they mean: act as if everything is positive. Or possibly: try to make something positive of everything. But whoever acknowledges God as God and thanks Him in everything (Rom.1:21), does not have to pretend. Neither does he try to be thankful. For him, positive thinking is no act, neither a human effort. It is the self-evident truth! Everything IS positive, because GOD makes all things well (=positive, a plus). Therefore we thank him and are happy… in everything, by His grace!

Delen: