Scripture Reading:
1 Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. (English Standard Version)
It was Don Moen, the famous American singer and song writer who penned this well-known verse:
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son…
But are we truly thankful?
It is in the book of 1 Thessalonians that we find Paul encouraging Christians to remain thankful in all circumstances.
I have often found myself complaining when I stumble on a difficult situation. And so I plead with God in fervent prayer to release me from my distress. But it seems as though the more I cry out, the longer I take to endure.
Is it His Will?
I consider that God’s definition of a breakthrough is not always a way out but a way “to be kept”. To be kept in prayer, to be kept in His Word, to be kept by His promises: to indeed learn that it is in our weaknesses that He is our strength.
God’s definition of a breakthrough is to know that His ways and thoughts are always higher, to believe that He is near the broken-hearted, close to those whose spirits are crushed and to see with eyes wide open that He will never leave nor forsake us in the midst of life’s trials.
Bless the LORD!
God allowed me to suffer at that moment in time but I just could not understand why. The test then, I deemed unnecessary, but now I can say, thank God.
I now realize that it was not meant to be easy to praise God in all circumstances but the process of suffering crucifies the flesh and gives the enemy a “heart attack”.
Can we therefore receive with thanksgiving the suffering that promotes our humility; while not rejecting Gods’ pruning, we accept that this too is an emblem of His love toward us.
POINT TO PONDER:
God’s definition of a breakthrough is not always a way out but a way “to be kept”.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Like the psalmist David, I can proudly say, it was good that I have been afflicted, because in my affliction, I learned humility. Like Job, I can also say, though You slay me, yet will I trust Thee. I won’t pretend that it doesn’t hurt, but I will trust and not lean on my own understanding. So Lord, in this moment I will give thanks for being kept in Jesus Name, Amen!
Scripture Passage References:
1 Timothy 4:4
1 Thessalonians 5:18
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Isaiah 55:8-9
Psalm 34:18
Deuteronomy 31:6
John 15:2
Psalm 119:71
Job 13:15
Proverbs 3:5-6
Ann says
Great post. I always go to Scripture when I am going through a difficult time. I especially like reading Job and everything he went through. It is definitely possible to give thanks to God, even when we are going through hard times. Thank you for sharing.
Julie Pfeifer says
Thank you, Ann!