Giving thanks in difficult times

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA, the day set aside to reflect on the blessings we have received and on the Giver; however, the thought of giving thanks during difficult times can seem impossible, even ludicrous. The question may be asked, “What do I have to give thanks for?” or, “How can I give thanks for this … this heartbreak, this betrayal, this disappointment, this traumatic loss, this illness …?”  We do so as we do everything else, “through Him.” 

Listen to the instruction in Hebrews 13:15 (Amplified):

“Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.”

He tells us to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and then enables us to do so (Philippians 2:13).  Also, when we offer Him praise and thanksgiving, we glorify Him (Psalm 50:23)  and magnify Him (Psalm 69:30). You will agree that if there is ever a time when we need Him magnified, it is during the difficult seasons of our lives when all we can see is what is hard, scary, and painful about our circumstances.  When He is magnified, we gain a different perspective on our circumstances and ourselves. Let us, with His help, give Him thanks today.

Evidence of His love

How often we complain and see the hard things, the crushing places of our lives as evidence that God does not love us. But it is the Cross that is the evidence of His love, not the absence of hard things in our lives. Siblings, let us use His Word to silence the lies of the Enemy.  You may not understand what is happening and why but You are loved more than you can comprehend. And the one Who loves you so will sustain you through it all.

Be encouraged,

EWW

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16)

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

(All Scripture passages are from the New King James Version)