What are you thankful for today? Stop right now as you are reading and take the time to name at least 5 blessings you appreciate right now.
Did you list any difficulties, trials, or troubles? Don’t worry- I didn’t either. When we make a list of things we appreciate in our lives, they are most often situations, material possessions, and people who make us happy and comfortable. We list blessings we’ve received, people with whom we have good life-giving relationships, or situations that are helping us move forward in life. There is certainly nothing wrong with being thankful for the blessings in our lives, but only appreciating good things leaves us incomplete in our thankfulness.
Paul said a lot about thankfulness and appreciating ALL circumstances in his letters to the churches.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 3:15-17, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Aren’t you glad to know you aren’t the only one who needs a reminder to appreciate ALL the circumstances in your life? We can appreciate the pain and trials in our lives because we know we will grow in difficulty far more than we grow in comfort. Depending on God through discomfort and trials grows our faith exponentially, far more than unlimited good times ever would.
Stop right now and take a moment to list five hard things you’re going through. If you feel comfortable, share one of those in the comments below and start your comment with, “Lord I appreciate…”. Let’s take time to appreciate our trials because they help us become more like Jesus for the sake of others.
Author: Anne Bosarge
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