- Gratitude comes easily when everything is going our way, but 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks.”
- This includes both good and hard times. But when we don’t understand why God allows us to go through suffering and trials, we may let our situation extinguish a grateful spirit.
- Instead of rejoicing and praising God for who He is and what He’s done for us, we focus on our pain and confusion and begin to doubt the Lord and His Word.
- However, when we choose to be thankful in every situation, despite our feelings, we’ll reap many benefits.
- Job 1:21
And said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.
(Being thankful reminds us of our continual dependence upon the Lord.)
- He despises a spirit of independence that denies our need of Him, exalts self-sufficiency, and leads to ingratitude.
- In reality, we are all dependent upon Him for every breath we take, but may not realize it until we face a situation that we are powerless to overcome or change.
- Adversity shows us our weakness and drives us to the Lord.
- A mature believer lives in absolute dependence upon God every day and rejoices in his heart with a grateful and trusting spirit.
- 2. Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
(Being grateful brings us into submission to God’s will)
- In the midst of emotional or physical pain, we may not feel grateful to God, but that’s when we should start to express it verbally.
- As we keep thanking Him, eventually our feelings will begin to match our words.
- God knows the weakness of human emotions and understands that our thanks may just be words in
- Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
(Gratitude to God in difficult times gives our witness a greater impact.)
- Our painful experiences and grateful response allow us to help those
who are hurting in the same way. - By sharing our struggles with others who don’t understand what God is doing, our witness for Christ becomes more powerful.
- Job 12:13
To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
(Gratitude motivates us to look for the Lord’s purpose in everything that happens. )
- Unexpected trials or suffering may cause us to question God or feel as though He’s forgotten us, but He has promised to bring good from even our worst experiences
Whether we understand or not, we can rely on His trustworthiness and thank Him for the good He’s promised to produce in our lives according to His will.
