Be the One out of Ten
Having a grateful heart in the midst of trials and difficulties is something that most can’t understand.
I recently had a conversation with someone who was going thru the fire, I had the opportunity to share all the huge obstacles that I’ve been able to get over in the past few years with them. From losing my mother to losing full use of my hand to taking a huge cut in our finances because of my hand. Despite of all the pain and suffering, I was able to share with this person how grateful I am that God walked thru the fire with me.
It was difficult for them to understand how I could be thankful after a trying year as that was. You know, I find that for those that do not make a habit of cultivating a thankful heart in the bad things will seldom do it with the good things in life.
In Luke 17, there is a story of the ten lepers. Based on this story, I would say only 1 out 10 of us make an effort to be truly grateful! Jesus reached out and touched all ten of these lepers but only ONE returned to give thanks.
I’m not saying that pain and suffering isn’t hard, because it is. I’ve been there, done that. But what I am saying today is that even in the midst of our fire, God is in control and we can learn to be thankful for our pain because the purpose is about to be revealed.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Rejoicing always means ALWAYS. I pray today that no matter what your day looks like, good or bad, that you will be like the ONE who returned and give God thanks!
Be blessed.
Laurie
@copyright2018 laurieadams
Powerful message, Laurie. You are right about cultivating a grateful heart helps us in hard times. As Paul states in the verse you quoted: “give thanks in all circumstances”. This does not mean to be thankful for the bad situation, but in the bad situation.
Happy Thanksgiving, Laurie.