Our pray group does “Monday School” lessons instead of Sunday School. When I was asked to write these, I had to do a tall lot of praying. 1. Because I’m still young in the faith. My knowledge base isn’t very deep. 2. I don’t want to say the wrong things to actually kill someone curiosity or turn them away from asking questions about religion or God. I work very had to make sure everyone that might read these knows that theses are based on my walk with Christ.
Our series this month was ‘Gratitude’. I chose ‘in all things’ because being grateful for anything earth shattering feels like a slap in the face. But for me, I need to wade those muddy waters.
Gratitude in all things
Gratitude in all times good and bad: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
It is easy to say, “thank you God, I got that bonus.” Gratitude when life is going good is easy.
Let’s try this, “thank you God, I got served with divorce papers today.” For those of you that are married. Perhaps you were already separated but those papers are final. The end of a chapter in your life you are not ready for.
When the bad things in life happen we are automatically referred to Job. You name it and it happened to him. Sitting on your comfortable couch, in your temperature controlled house, reading about a man that had stead fast faith in God. You say, “atta boy.”
What about if you are sitting under a bridge? It’s 30 degrees outside and snowing. All you own is what you can carry. The wind is biting right through your clothes. Someone just gave you a hot meal and a Bible. The book falls to the ground and lays open to the book of Job. After reading his story, do you say, “atta boy” or do you throw the book in the river and watch it float away. “Stupid Job!”
With Satan and his army’s fighting us every minute of every day in every way, it is difficult to find that silver lining. To be thankful in the bad times. I’ve been there. You jump up and down. Scream at the top of your lungs, “why God, why?” You take your pain, sorrow, and defeat out on any and everyone.
So how can we be grateful in the bad times? It starts with you. We have to change and change is hard.
In Matthew 15:19 we have read many times: ‘For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…’ To be grateful in all things, we have to ask God into our lives. Change our hearts. Open our hearts. That’s it. There’s no mystery. No need for a psychic reading. Throw those crystals away. No magic potions here. Allow God to change your heart. Allow God in.
Dear God, please help me. Place in me a grateful heart for all things. I don’t need to understand the whys, hows, and what fors. All I need to know is that I need to lean on you. You are my rock, my shelter, my saving grace. Thank you God for the good, as well as the bad. With you in my life, I can face it all. Amen.
The Bible (I pretty much use the King James Version)
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