Be Grateful in All Circumstances

clip_image002It is easy to shout our praise and thanksgiving to God when we are at the peak of our success. Not a single effort is exerted for our joy comes directly from our jubilant heart.

It might be foolish for many a man to still be thankful despite one's trials. "Why should I when my soul suffers from wretchedness and emptiness?" one might ask. The lamentation goes on.

Jesus himself tells us of this wonderful passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (New International Version (©2011).

He did not say "most," nor did he say "some" circumstances. The word "all" here encompasses the tragedies and the victories, the weeping and the merriment. It speaks of the parched desert and of the abundance of rain. It thrives in all the seasons of our life. There is not a single exception.

There wouldn't be questions as to why we should be gratified during moments of happiness. That is human nature. But why give thanks during trying moments? Isn't God the all-loving God? Why does He let us suffer and even ask us to be grateful of these?

Simple. Trials are there to mold us; a way of God's chiseling as He molds us as to who we should be. He allows these tests and desolation because He knows very well that something better is going to happen. He wouldn't save us from pain if that is what it takes to level us up for a bigger mission. We aren't here to be mediocre, so He gives us His grace and pours on us His mercy. Will we still fret? No. We have God to thank for all the way.

My life is a proof to this. I have been sharing a lot of stuff about my personal life, the latest of which is my failed relationship. It was normal for the hurting me to plead God to put a stop to my pain, to just give that man back to me, and to just give me a second chance to correct myself. I thought I would have easily changed the old ugly me to a beautiful me overnight. In God's wisdom, He didn't answer me right away. There was no magic. I was left alone; He remained silent though I felt His presence in a very special way. Now? I'm just as well-pleased with myself as He is. I can proudly say that I am a new Me… a more responsible, more loving, more understanding, and a lot better Me.

I remained grateful in the midst of my hurting. Now I am a lot grateful because He had somehow shared a vision of who He intends me to be.

I am a happy Worshipper. I am a thankful daughter of God. This life on earth will never be easy; but it will be if I remain steadfast in my faith.

I am now living a life of gratitude.

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