Lanre Fatokun Something Good!
Gratitude!
‘In every thing give thanks…’ (1)
Author Barbara Johnson was frazzled; she was running late, and on the bus to work she had to stand. Her attitude was going downhill fast when a cheery voice from the front of the bus announced, ‘Beautiful day, isn’t it?’
She couldn’t see the man, but she listened to his commentary as he described the lovely scenery…this church…that park…a cemetery…a firehouse. His grateful attitude lightened the mood of everybody around him. Then as Johnson got off the bus she caught a glimpse of the speaker: an average-looking man wearing dark glasses and carrying a white stick!
Paul said, ‘In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God.’ We don’t thank God for trials, we thank Him in them. Gratitude is like a boomerang. It blesses the recipient, makes a 180-degree turn and blesses the person who gives thanks. One Bible teacher says: ‘Whatever crisis there is in your life, before it ever came God made sure you’d be able to endure it…others have gone through exactly what you’re going through…and made it through victoriously…with every temptation God promised to “‘…make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it” (2). Trials and “‘escape ways” are inseparable. But the devil doesn’t want you to know that, so every time you go through a test, he tells you there’s no way out. I learned long ago when the devil keeps pressuring me, it’s always an indication that “the way out” is about to be revealed…We need to do what God says. “Rejoice!” Remember, “…The joy of the Lord is your strength” (3). When you have His joy, it gives you strength for the journey’.
From: UCB Word for today: 24th May 2013
(1) 1 Thessalonians 5:18
(2) 1 Corinthians 10:13
(3) Nehemiah 8:10
(Pix: http://renegadechicks.com/do-you-have-a-gratitude-rock/ & http://www.aimislam.com/gratitude/)
Very inspiring. I watch out for this space every sunday. Thumbs up.
One of the most difficult issues to handle in Christiandom is that of trials and challenges (not temptations unless temptations are construed as trials).
It is only our Maker who can grant us the enabling grace to hold on to our faith and trust God for the way(s) out of our tribulations. Apostle Paul said it all but we need His grace t really stand firm and steadfast when we are in tribulations.
So must pray for that grace at all times since we are confronted with/by tribulations all the time.