This post is a bit different than my usual Thursday message. My heart is heavy for loved ones. My heart is heavy for the condition of our world laden with wars and rumors of wars, wildfires, earthquakes … I’m sure you feel the same at times. I’m searching for thankfulness in the difficult places.
I thought I’d grab your hand and perhaps help you find it, as well.
Is It Possible to Find Thankfulness in the Difficult Places?
The Lord promises to permeate our darkness with His glorious light. Our God is with us, He is a shield about us, and He goes before us into uncertain tomorrows. That is worthy of praise. That is worthy of giving thanks.
Curled up on the sofa, I sipped my coffee and let my gaze settle upon the awakening dawn. My thoughts followed my wandering eyes. Stillness settled over me. Peace. The eyes of my heart caught a glimpse of the rising sun and I knew the Lord was drawing near. He captured my thoughts and quieted me with His love.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!
I could hear the words resounding deep in my spirit.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!
As I sat in the warmth of the Lord’s embrace, thinking of His goodness, and remembering His love, a sense of thankfulness began to rise …
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!
Can you hear it?
Can you hear the call of the Spirit?
It may be hard to feel thankfulness in the difficult places, but this isn’t about feelings. It’s about the instruction we receive from God’s holy Word: Give thanks for He is good! His mercy endures forever.
Giving thanks is a strong weapon against the enemy, especially when our hearts are heavy-laden. Finding thankfulness in the difficult places removes the tool sent to harm us from the enemy’s hand and places it in the Lord’s hand. What the enemy meant for evil, the Lord will use for our good. Thankfulness is where this transition occurs.
But it takes a choice.
It has been said that if we can’t praise God for our circumstances, we can always praise Him for who He is. The same can be said about thankfulness.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!
Thank Him for He is Good … Always
Father, thank You for Your goodness, for Your love that will never fail us. Thank You for Your tender watchcare over us — everything that concerns us, concerns You. I am disheartened by the world’s condition, and I’m worried about my loved ones, but those are just feelings. The fact is You are with us, Your hand is upon us. Your mercy is from everlasting to everlasting, and You alone are worthy of all praise. Therefore I will praise You and I will give thanks for You are good.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
