Thankful Heart in a World of Hurt
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Ingratitude is just part of human nature. When hit with hardships, it is natural to choose one of three responses. We give up and resign ourselves to plodding as we go through the day-to-day routines. Or we make suffering the focus and coddle hidden feelings of submerged rebellion. Or we choose to nurse resentment towards God and others who seem to have an easier life. Whichever the option, it will sink the roots of bitterness into our heart.
It’s like Hebrews 12:15 says, “Be careful that none of you fails to respond to the grace which God gives, for if he does there can very easily spring up in him a bitter spirit which is not only bad in itself but can also poison the lives of many others” (Phillips).
But there’s one more response when hardships hit, a response that is not only appropriate but doable for God’s children. It is to give thanks in everything. Is it hard? Yes. But remember that giving thanks is not the same as feeling thankful. Trusting God has absolutely nothing to do with trustful feelings. To give thanks in the midst of pain and problems is to take a rugged and demanding step of faith in your Savior who always has your best interests at heart.
So, stir up within you the spirit of gratitude! Start vocalizing your thanksgivings, despite your feelings. Begin by giving thanks for those things for which you are, indeed, grateful – even if you’re hurting. As you are obedient in the discipline of expressing gratitude to God, he will reward you with the emotion of thankfulness. And that will cultivate a more generous spirit of gratitude in your heart.
Pray with me: Jesus, in whatever circumstances I face, thank you that I can always give thanks for the Word of God and your gift of salvation. Thank you that your mercies are new and fresh every morning. Thank you for the encouragement of Christian friends and the love of family. Thank you for the way you provide my food, clothing, and shelter. Thank you for laughter and sunsets, music and flowers, backyard birds and my favorite dessert. And that’s just the beginning of my gratitude list!
Radically Ordinary Hospitality: A Conversation with Rosaria Butterfield
Dr. Rosaria Butterfield, author of The Gospel Comes with a House Key, joins the podcast to talk about radically ordinary hospitality. She shares how opening our homes can provide a doorway for people to experience the love, truth, and grace of Jesus Christ.
