Gratitude in Hard Seasons

 

As we approach Thanksgiving gratitude is on many peoples' minds. It's a season to slow down and truly think about all we have to be grateful for. Many of us take so much for granted here in America, and Thanksgiving is a time to see those things and truly be grateful for them. But for some of us it's hard to think of anything to be grateful for this year. Maybe it's just been an awful year. 

We all have those years, when nothing seems to go right and we seem to face one trial after another. But the Bible tells us to "(give) thanks always and for everything."  and to "give thanks in all circumstances." What does this look like? It doesn't mean you have to always be happy and smiling. It doesn't mean you have to be glad you are going through the trials you are facing. But it means you are grateful for what you do have... for God's sufficient grace; for the eternal hope you have (even in the midst of this trial); for the unshaken and unshakable kingdom you have received through Christ; for your identity in Christ; for freedom from sin. These are all things that can never be taken from you no matter what trial you may face! And the more you give thanks to God for these realties the more you will truly be grateful for them and the more joy and contenment you will have! Imagine how much harder your trials and hardships would be if you didn't have God's grace, if you didn't have the hope of eternity, if you were still under bondage to sin, if God wasn't walking faithfully with you in your trial.

I don't know what trials and hardships you have faced this past year. But I do know that God is faithful and you can trust in Him. If you are His you can know He will use this trial for His glory and your good. God is always working to accomplish His plans and purposes. Trust Him. Give thanks to Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him that you can lean upon Him and trust Him through this hard time. He will not leave you!

"Therefore LET US BE GRATEFUL for receiving a kingdom that CANNOT BE SHAKEN, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." -Hebrews 12:28-29

"Not one word of ALL the GOOD promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." - Joshua 21:45

"Oh GIVE THANKS to the LORD; call upoon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD REJOICE! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!" -Psalm 105:1-4