Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Ten years after the birth of this church in Colossae, Christians there understood what believers have universally discovered about living the Christian life: though a joyful foundation is settled in the mind, the daily grind of faithful living doesn’t get any easier.

There is much in this world to discourage believers from walking consistently in relationship with Christ. The mindset of godlessness has seeped into the fabric of every dimension of life, so that discouragement and timidity define our demeanor, keeping us from being encouraged and confident in our witness before others. Such things may sap our joy and make us wonder what there is to be thankful for.

Paul reminds these believers (and us today) what happened at the time their hearts and minds were transformed by the powerful message of the Gospel. First, they were “rooted” in Christ. These believers understood the agricultural use of the word “rooted.” When even the smallest signs of growth were recognized in the freshly planted seedling, they would know a root had firmly connected to the nourishing resource of the soil. The capability of growth had been secured.

Secondly, they were being “built up in him.” As roots go deeper, branches grow higher. Spiritually speaking, both provide for increasing faith to weather the challenges of this world. And thirdly, the Colossians had been “established in the faith,” having been tested by false teachings that piled on regulations, which diminished the grace of the Gospel and were of “no value” in promoting authentic faith for spiritual growth (Colossians 2:23).

Daily doses of God’s Word provide the kind of spiritual nourishment needed for the health of all three facets of the transformed life. The Colossians knew (and we know) that our walk with Christ remains robust when, at the end of each day, the ponderance of our relationship with Christ abounds “in thanksgiving.” A thankful heart is the by-product of a growing faith. It is that which shifts our focus from that of cowering amid the challenges of life to that of counting our blessings that come from being firmly rooted in Christ.

The 17th-century Bible teacher, Matthew Henry, was once robbed as he walked along a lonely road. Afterwards, he told his friends there were four things for which he gave thanks. First, he was grateful that he had never been robbed before. Secondly, he said, “Though they took all my money, I am glad they did not get very much.” Thirdly, he said, “Though they took my money, they did not take my life, and I am grateful for that.” And finally, he stated, “I am thankful that it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed!” There was a man who had learned how to be overflowing with thanksgiving!

Each one of us experiences tests and trials throughout life. How we face them depends on our foundation of faith. This foundation isn’t dependent on how much of the Word we can quote; how often we attend church; or even how much we give. Instead, it rests in that daily “walk” with Christ that opens before us the rich resources for a healthy, growing relationship with Him. That is something to be thankful for!

By Dr. Bill Niblette, Bible League International contributor, Pennsylvania, U.S.