Each person can define what the “storm” means in their world
right now. In the midst of our storms,
we are called to give thanks to God.
How in the world do you expect me to thank God when I have
this illness?
Why would I thank God
when my loved one still passed away?
There are so many things that can deter us from thanking God
for even the smallest of things, but a strange thing happens when we thank Him
in the midst of our storm. Somehow, a
peace begins to come into our hearts. As
we continue to give Him thanks, even though it might take a mighty effort to
thank Him from our hearts, there is a great return, a great dividend when we
take that step of faith.
You may argue in your heart or mind right now with what I
have said, but the truth of the matter is, God, the creator of the universe,
who spoke our world into existence, loves you.
When we look at David, a shepherd boy who became a king of Israel,
fought many battles, and suffered many sorrows, found a way through the dark
night to give thanks to God.
In Psalm 35:18, David spoke “I will give You thanks in the
great assembly; I will praise You among many people.” He wasn’t in the best of places. He hadn’t received what he was asking for,
yet he chose to praise the Lord in the midst of his turmoil. Looking at the verse right before it, David
says, “Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, my
precious life from the lions.”
We can’t afford to let our situations dictate when we feel
like thanking God. He is worthy of our
thanks every single minute of the day.
What is one thing.. just one thing.. that you can say you are thankful
to God for?
Here are just a few things that I am eternally thankful for:
- - God saved me from a destructive relationship
when I was 19 years old. I came back to
God through the break-up of that engagement.
I am so thankful that I never married that person. Through the heartbreak and ache, God began
showing me how precious I was and what I really needed was Him.
- - I am thankful for His forgiveness! I thought God was on the other side of the
universe because I knowingly made a choice to sin against Him. I thought there was no way to get back to Him
so I continued to walk the path of destruction and there was absolutely no true
joy or pleasure on that path. I am
grateful and thankful that He never gave up on me, and when I turned back to
Him, He welcomed me home with open arms. His love and forgiveness still astound me!
- I am thankful for the parents He gave to
me. They are not perfect, but through
them, I have grown closer to God and need Him more and more. I am also thankful for my sister, whom is a
beloved woman in my life that sharpens me (Proverbs 27:17).
-
- I am thankful for the challenges in my
life. I know that sounds strange, but it
makes me realize how small I am and how big God is. He is the lifter of my head and the lover of
my soul. Without Him, the struggles I face
would be filled with hopelessness, but with Him, I have no fear for I can trust
Him and know that He will work out His perfect will in my life as I yield to
Him.
- - I am thankful for my husband. God knew what I needed in a mate and He has
done and is still doing a wonderful work through him in my life. He is the most patient man while I am like a
bouncing ping pong ball sometimes. I can
see God’s love manifest in my husband and I am blown away at how much God
really does love me.
-
…. The
list goes on and on. Now it is your
turn. What are you thankful for? Tell Him!
I know He would love to hear your voice!
Blessings to you, dear one!!
Dawn
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