Gratitude

My husband often referred to this quote, “What if all you had today was what you were thankful for yesterday?” Whether he was preaching to a congregation, recording a radio broadcast or in conversation with individuals, he often challenged Christians to be thankful. I have handwritten notes and cards from my husband thanking me for various things like keeping a clean house and being willing to travel with him in evangelism, which I have kept and treasure even more now that he is no longer here.  He was a very thankful man of God, and during these months of his absence, gratitude has been the one thing that has helped me face my sorrowful and uncertain tomorrows more than anything else.  I was given a “gratitude” journal a couple of years ago, but I hadn’t used it yet, so I pulled it out and began filling up its pages each morning.  Taking the time to think on all of the goodness of God, the outpouring of love from family and friends, daily blessings, and yes, even the dark trials put my focus upon the Most High God more than on my sorrow and troubles.  There is a quote that I put on my prayer board so that I would see it daily, which says, “A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart.”  It was another reminder to be grateful.  On the days when it felt dark, dreary and overwhelming, and it was hard to get out of bed and function, I found were days that I was less thankful.  God helped me to pull out of that by leading me to think on things He had done, which in turn, led me to be thankful.  Psalm 18 is full of reasons to be thankful such as verses 30-32, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Then in verse 49 of that same chapter, David says, "Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD." 

During this season of Thanksgiving may I encourage you to be thankful by considering the goodness of the Lord. His mercies are new every morning, His compassions fail not, His grace is sufficient, His love is everlasting, He is with you, He will never leave you or forsake you, His everlasting arms are underneath you holding you, and there isn’t any place you or I can get where He cannot come.  His thoughts toward us are thoughts of peace and not of evil to give us an expected end.  You can find all of these wonderful truths in the Bible. (Lamentations 3:22-23, Jeremiah 31:3, II Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 139:8) 

Click here to listen to this segment of one of Dr. Williams’ Facing Tomorrow radio broadcasts, and may you be greatly encouraged.

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Reflection Questions

1.       How often do I pause to acknowledge God’s goodness in the small, ordinary moments?

2.       Which promises of God (mercy, compassion, presence, peace) feel especially personal to me right now?

3.       What written or spoken expressions of love and thankfulness from others do I cherish, and why?

4.       Are there areas of my life where I struggle to be thankful? What might God be inviting me to see differently?

5.       On days that feel dark or overwhelming, what helps me turn my thoughts back toward God’s faithfulness?

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