THANKFULNESS IN THE DISTRESS

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms 100:1-5 NLT


“Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 NLT


This year has been the most difficult year of my life. I have been bombarded with things that have tested my faith. Looking back at all the struggle is something that I have not wanted to do. Really, I just want to be on the other side of it without having to go through the pain and suffering. Over the past several weeks, I have actually come to a place that I have confessed my thankfulness to God for allowing these things to pass through His hands into my life. I can't say that I am thankful for the hurt and sorrow, but I am thankful for the struggle that has helped me draw closer to Him. I am thankful that He is enough. I am thankful He still gives me hope. I am thankful He still has grace and mercy for me. I am thankful He has surrounded me with people who love me and support me in the midst of my testing. I am thankful He considers me worthy of His love in spite of who I am. I am thankful that He is God and He will take whatever the enemy has meant for evil and work it for good.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 NLT

Are you able to thank God for the trials you go through? Are you able to see that God is able make good things happen from what the enemy has meant for destruction?