“Sink your roots in Him and build on Him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:7, GW)
In any given year Christmas may be a huge struggle for families. It’s the end of the year and some jobs have been reduced or abolished and families find themselves in financial difficulties. Charitable giving enables others to receive blessings from those situated in good life circumstances. This too, is a picture of incarnate compassion for others in the name of Jesus. Compassion changes our life outlook. Have you received that gift?
An attitude of gratitude is God’s will for you because it develops your faith.
How does gratitude develop your faith? It happens when times are tough — when things don’t make sense, when you can’t figure it out, when your prayers are unanswered, when nothing is going the way you wanted it to go. It happens when you can say in those circumstances, “God, I know You’re in control. I know You love me, and I know You can bring good out of this. I’m thankful that You’re bigger than my problems.”
Anybody can thank God for good things. But if you can thank God even in the bad times, your faith will grow stronger as your roots go deeper.
Habakkuk was going through tough times. He said, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV).
In the midst of all the bad things that went wrong, Habakkuk rejoiced. What caused his gratitude? He decided to find joy in God: “I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
When everything else in life is a struggle, you can be grateful because the Lord is your Savior. He will pull you through. You’re not alone. He hasn’t abandoned you. That’s a reason to thank Him!
Are you able to thank God when life stinks? That’s the ultimate test of the depth of your faith. When you’re going through tough times, don’t look at what’s lost. Look at what’s left — and be grateful for it!
Colossians 2:7 says, “Sink your roots in Him and build on Him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving” (GW).
God’s will for you is radical gratitude — giving thanks in all things. You can be thankful to God just for who He is. He has promised to see you through those tough situations, and you’ll find your faith will grow even stronger because of it.
Ponderings:
- What is your usual reaction to difficult circumstances? How do you think God wants you to respond?
- What does it mean to honor God?
- How have you seen God strengthen your faith through the difficult circumstances of your life?
Prayer
Father, I thank You for the blessings of this day, and I thank You for loving me even as a sinful human being. Be with me, strengthen my faith, and be my constant reminder for all I am blessed with!
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
