What does it mean to lengthen our latitude of gratitude? I've been thinking
about being thankful and what that looks like in daily life. Sometimes my heart
is more easily drawn to tell God about what I am grateful for and then there
are days when it seems like annoying inconveniences, unmet longings and false
expectations about how life should unfold muffle my voice
of gratitude.
Let's soak in a fresh perspective on I
Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I've heard this
before and perhaps you have also but I think it bears repeating. The Scripture
does say to give thanks "in" all circumstances and not necessarily "for" all
circumstances. This is a big relief to me.
Suffering and loss created by our
circumstances can cause our hearts be in pain. The reality is that God grieves
also over brokenness in our lives and the affects on us and those around us. At
the same time, He calls us as His daughters to a higher hope and joy beyond what
we are experiencing around us.
I am learning to ask God what it is that
He wants me to know about His friendship with me through my circumstances. I am
also learning to say that I will embrace all circumstances He has in my life as
an opportunity to know His love and purposes more deeply even when they don't
seem to make sense.
Beyond the pain, there is also a reminder
to give thanks for what we might think of as the mundane. Were we able to get
out of bed this morning? Did air conditioning and/or heat keep us cool/warm in
our homes? Do we have consistent access to the internet? Do we have nail
files, wardrobes, and blow dryers? What simple interactions with others will
bring a smile to our faces this week?
We can thank God by faith for the ways
He is working: restoring the brokenness, providing for us, conforming our
character to become more like Jesus, inviting us in to a deeper knowledge of
Himself and protecting us from the evil one. I am SO GRATEFUL to share the journey with YOU.
Posts
What a challenge to be joyful always! Thanks for sharing your joy. Saying a little prayer for you as I dropped over from Jen's.
ReplyDeleteHi Dea, thanks for "dropping in"!!
DeleteThank you for this post as it encourages me to trust and be thankful for my pain and for the mundane events in my life. I have suffered pain all my life and it took till this year for me to actually thank God for it. I still don't understand the whys but I am at peace in being obedient.
ReplyDeleteWow, Shanda, you are an inspiration for perseverance and faith. Thanks for sharing! I will pray for the Lord to be the lifter of your head. I've had pain issues but have a difficult time wrapping my mind around your lifelong struggle. I'm really glad you are in a place of rest in your heart.
DeleteWhen my grandmother was dying, I tried desperately to find thanksgiving. Through that process, I learned that even though her death was crushing, I could be thankful for all the ways she was being blessed tangibly by those who love her. She was always the caregiver and then she became cared-for. That was a lot to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteJen, I know my reply is many moons after you wrote this! I'm still getting used to the blogging world. I love your insight on how you gave thanks as your grandmother suffered.
DeleteHi Laura - this scripture puzzled me for a long time until I realized it said give thanks "in" all circumstances, not "for."
ReplyDeleteWe are so blessed, yet often I don't take time to give thanks to God as I should.
Thank you for visiting Reflections of His Grace.
Blessings,
Joan
Hi Joan, I appreciate your thoughts!
DeleteHi friend! Sorry we haven't gotten to talk in a while:( I love your heart hear in sharing this and agree about the relief of the difference between 'in' and 'for'...though I thought there was another thankfulness passage that did say 'for'...gonna have to go the GREEK:}
ReplyDeleteThanks again for being you and being here!
Hi Abby, I miss connecting! I think you've made the move overseas? I pray God's hand upon you all.
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