“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things you lack” (Germany Kent).
It’s easy to be thankful when things are going good or when a prayer is answered in the way you desired. Gratitude comes naturally when the sun is shining, the kids are obedient, and things seem to be going well.
But what about when you’ve begged God for healing, or a job, or wisdom in a situation, and the prayer goes unanswered. Or God chooses to answer differently than you expect - your spouse dies, you continue to be unemployed, or you’re at a loss to handle a difficult situation. What then? How can we be thankful for something that causes us pain or disappointment?
Why Gratitude Matters in Hard Times
Gratitude is something I’ve had to work on. I get wrapped up in my little world and focus on how things are affecting me, instead of thanking God for what He has given me. When I choose discontentment and dwell on the loss of my husband, or the autoimmune disease that is wearing me down, or that I don’t know how to handle a big decision, life can feel overwhelming.
But when I change my perspective and focus on Christ, instead of myself, He opens my eyes to see the abundance He has given me! I can be grateful for the life Jon and I had together, a body that can work hard, and the wisdom that God gives me in the Bible, and my whole outlook changes. My focus shifts from being me-centered to being God-centered.
Please don’t misunderstand. Just because I am thankful, doesn’t mean my circumstances change. Because they don’t. What changes is my heart and who I am focusing on.
Thankfulness Through Every Season
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving I know many of you are hurting. Some of you are grieving the recent loss of a spouse or loved one and the pain is fresh. Some of you have been grieving for years and longing for what could have been. Some of you know you will experience this journey and are grieving the future. I am so sorry for your pain. If I could reach through the screen and give you a hug I would.
As you journey through grief or anticipate the unknown, I would encourage you to find one thing to be grateful for. And when you find that one thing, be intentional about thanking God for it. Pretty soon you will find it will lead to another thing and another thing, and gradually you’ll see all the blessings God has given you.
When we choose gratitude, God changes our hearts to see all we have to be thankful for. He has richly blessed us, and even in our pain, we can choose gratitude.
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