Enduring with Gratitude
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 5:20
Headlines:
· Teen pleads guilty to terrorism, murder charges after school shooting that killed 4 students
· ‘Nation’s Report Card’ shows new evidence of Covid-19’s devastating impact on US children’s education
· Russia bringing more troops to defend occupied Kherson
ME: Jesus, I am not feeling very much gratitude today! I might be enduring but certainly not jumping for joy at these headlines. How in the world can You expect us to rally any gratitude for this news?
JESUS: Yes, I know.
ME: That’s not enough. What do you want us to do? What can we do?
JESUS: Nothing! Life is out of their control.
ME: Well, …say something! Do something!
JESUS: I am I am giving people time to realize that they are not in control. I am waiting for them to turn to Me and surrender their thoughts and feelings to Me. I’m waiting for them to thank Me for their circumstances.
ME: Whoa, that is asking a lot! You want them to thank in the midst of this mess?
JESUS: Yes! Thanking Me for situations is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings joyful bells throughout the heavenly realms. It also has a ripple effect on earth.
ME: I know that I am still learning but when I see people grieving and suffering, somehow gratitude is not on my mind. I want to fix it or make it go away. Better yet, I want YOU to make it better, but You don’t always do that.
JESUS: No, I don’t because thanking Me for all things requires a very deep level of trust or reliance in My goodness, mercy and love. If people lean on their own understanding or on others, they cannot experience what I have to offer.
ME: Are you suggesting that we just have to endure things (without being rescued) in order to build that trust?
JESUS: Exactly! Being grateful in suffering also weakens spiritual strongholds and encourages others. Do not be hasty in trying to fix other people’s problems or rush them through their grief.
ME: Sometimes I forget that You are the Savior!
JESUS: …Yes, I know. Just encourage others to thank Me and tell of My works with songs of Joy. See what I can do!
ME: I trust You.