Gratitude
The economy is bad–which means times are hard. The election cycle has basically revealed that anyone running for an office–or strongly supporting such a person–is dishonest. The microscopic inspection such people receive simply re=enforces the Holy Spirit’s words through Paul–all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! (Romans 3:23)
On top of that, as if we needed proof, we have proof in our world and in our bodies that the curse of Adam is real and still carried by his descendants–us. Retirees trying to live out their lives find themselves literally under water while parents discover their child has a “suspicious” growth on her body piercing their hearts with fear.
And then there are those old people (like me). We remember saying romantic things to our wives and husbands like “I want to grow old with you”–and we meant them. Right up until the whole growing old thing actually happens to us and literally every part of our body hurts every day. This continues until time takes its final toll and we are separated by death.
Quite a perspective. Yet everything you just read is true. The thing is, it isn’t all that is true. It is only part of what is true. And this is where gratitude comes in. I or someone in my family is personally experiencing everything I listed above. But I also experience God’s forgiveness on a daily–really minute by minute basis! For all the financial hardship I might experience I still find myself warm, eating (too much) and secure. With each pain my body throws at me I find that there is something I am still able to do with this body for God or someone else. I still smell the roses (literally) and taste the occasional hot chocolate. I see young people discovering one another and pray that God will give them a life as amazing as He has given Donna and me. Donna and I tell each other about our pains, but we are together and each has someone who is dedicated to hearing the other and loving the other through whatever happens. I breathe, I eat, I drink cold water, I laugh at something funny and look at my wife and sit dumbfounded that she chose to spend 50 years with me. This list could–and should–go on. But the point is the pain of the curse is only part of the story of humanity. The grace of the gospel and all that comes with it is the rest of the story.
The Holy Spirit has told us to be grateful–and to express that gratitude to God. He said through Paul, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7, NAS) But, if the curse is real and all those bad things are happening, why should we be grateful, much less express that to God? You won’t like the answer, but it is true. The answer is, we deserve the curse (it was given in righteous punishment), and we don’t deserve the gospel. Yet we have it anyway! We can all look at the hard things or the blessings, and as we grow in the Lord we even learn that eventually the hard things become blessings (the mystery to that is revealed in Hebrews 12:7).
So, what’s the point of gratitude? It keeps us focused on God’s power instead of our failure. It draws us back to His love instead of our selfishness. And it reminds us that one of those will win in the end–and we win too IF we belong to Jesus.
As we approach the election and winter and all the things that trouble us, let’s also remember that God isn’t constrained by our politicians, His forgiveness isn’t limited to our understanding or sense of justice, and His blessings don’t wither and die as we do. They are eternal, just as we are when we are in Christ.
So what? Only this. Look at the good things God has done and say them out loud–even if you are alone! If someone is with you, point them out and tell that person you need to say this to help you focus where you should. When someone you love complains or expresses pain, love them and comfort them (that means be with them, not fix them!) and when it is appropriate, remind them of what God has given them.
I haven’t done these things very well lately. That’s often true about what I write in these articles. So, let me challenge you, or encourage you, or whatever verb works for you, follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and focus on the good stuff He has given you–and thank Him for it! Your life will change for the better.
Know Jesus and Be Faithful!
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