Father God, do you really expect thankfulness from me right now?
~ YES! “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thess. 5:18)
But, Father God, how can I honestly be thankful with _______ going on in my life; I am just not feeling this at all! I am a woman who is at the end of her proverbial rope!
~ Dear Child, try remembering that I am always with you, I love you, and I promise to give you peace.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
Thank you, Lord, that even in this difficult time, Your loving Presence and your unfathomable peace is the gift You willingly bestow on me. But this is still really hard…
~ I know, precious daughter of mine! Choose to believe that I can turn these negative things in to positives. Remember Joseph’s story: “…what was meant for evil, God meant for good…” (Genesis 15:20)
Joseph endured overwhelmingly negative events and yet came out on the other side victorious and free of the hard twist of bitterness. While Joseph didn’t see the fullness of God’s plan immediately, he still faithfully entrusted himself to the Lord through times of loneliness, slavery, slander, and injustice. Joseph didn’t pretend that what he went through wasn’t tragic or hard. He calls it what it is: evil! Yet he found peace in the midst of some really nasty stuff, and he eventually rose to a position of great influence because God loves to turn nasty situations (that are intended for evil) in to something that is positive.
Thank you, God, that the things intended to harm me are not a surprise to You. You know it is hard for me to endure, and somehow You are going to turn it upside down and in to something that is good. I am grateful I can trust You with ________.
Editor’s note: Please leave a comment if you have learned a way to practice thankfulness in the midst of hard times or if there is a specific verse you lean on when struggling with thankfulness. Perhaps you have a story of a time when God turned something negative in to something good. We would love to hear from you!
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