Wednesdays with Words (Choosing Gratitude)

I have learned along the way that, regardless of how I may feel, anything that makes me need God is (ultimately, in the truest sense) a blessing. Be it a disappointment, Be it physical suffering, Be it mental or relational anguish.

And if you must go through what you're facing now anyways ..., why make it even worse by withdrawing from His grace and fellowship, enduring life on the raw edge without relying on Him for help? Why not see what could happen if you let the pain drive you closer to His side?

Yes, to give thanks "in all things" may require sacrifice. No, it may not change your situation, perhaps not even a little. But it will put you in the only possible position for experiencing everything God desires for you throughout this hard stretch of life. 

And-beyond the tiny piece of horizon you can see from this momentary time and place-God's glory and grace will be seen even more brightly, as a result of your willingness to say with the psalmist: "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalms 34:1).

That's the promise of gratitude.

I will admit that when big problems come I know the importance of being grateful, though in times of great pain and struggle it isn't easy to be grateful and it can be a severe struggle, but I realize this and remind myself often to be grateful.

Even though this portion seems to be addressing the bigger problems of life, I still felt conviction over an area I fall short in--the mundane, everyday things in life that drive me nuts or make me lose my cool. For instance, when I find out one of my kids refroze the bacon I needed for supper it is at that moment of realization that I need God! I need to be grateful!

But I have a hard time being grateful at moments like these. It is a lot easier to bluster and blow than stop and take a moment to give thanks for my child, or that I have food to feed my family, or that I even had bacon in the house. It is easy in times like these to lose perspective (sigh). Yes, I have a lot to work on.