November 26, 2024
Here in the States, November is focused on gratitude. We are gearing up for Thanksgiving feasts mixed with family gatherings, comfy pants, football games, and maybe even the beginning of Christmas movies. Needless to say, giving thanks is the theme everywhere I look.
Just so you’re warned, this isn’t your typical feel-good thanksgiving reflection.
It might feel a little heavy because to get to the gratitude,
I had to process through the difficult stuff.
I came across a verse a few weeks ago that caused me to really contemplate my gratitude, but not because I was feeling super grateful - it was because I was grumbling.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing,” Philippians 4:12 proclaimed across the page like a sucker punch to the gut.
As I read the verse again,
it instantly had me reflecting on the things I felt have “not gone my way.”
Then as I spent more time examining my heart, expectations, and outcomes,
I realized I can find gratitude in every situation.
Yes, even the really hard and unexpected.
I sat for a while acknowledging the current situations I am struggling to understand or see the silver-lining in, which led me to past circumstances I am still holding bitterness about.
Some of these are small things and I was able to easily recognize where and how I can be thankful in them. But others are bigger or have a deeper wound and I had to intentionally sit quietly before the Lord and ask to see the “good” in them.
This had me wondering if others are able to see the “blessing in disguise” after a life event that had them spinning, asking why, and doubting God’s provision in it all.
I began asking others to consider what they found they were grateful for in hindsight after challenging circumstances, disappointment, betrayal, and even tragedy.
Here is what they shared with me…
“I didn’t get the job offer I was hoping for.” - grateful for the skills I have to offer.
“I was severely impacted by a natural disaster.” - grateful for organizations who showed up to help our community.
“My loved one was just diagnosed with cancer.” - grateful for the advancement in treatment options and a medical team to see us through it.
“I never thought I’d be a single parent.” - grateful for supportive resources to assist me.
“I was betrayed by my best friend.” - grateful for God’s faithfulness to me, even when I felt alone.
“I lost a loved one unexpectedly.” - grateful for the support system of family and friends.
“I was in a deep depression.” - grateful for friends who checked in on me and helped connect me to resources to seek help.”
I was blown away by the goodness and faithfulness others found in these hard times.
The repetition of gratitude was humbling and it reminded me that we can give thanks when life is hard or heartbreaking and we can continue to trust in God’s perfect plan for us.
They are doing what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to do, “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
None of these situations shared are easy - they all hold some form of pain.
I am not dismissing the pain, grief, or heartache that was required to process or move through them or the courageous effort of learning to live life in an unexpected way.
I am moved by the existence of gratitude waiting inside each story.
I am thankful God showed me He does bring beauty from ashes.
I had to have a little help to see the thankfulness in my story, maybe you do too.
I try to list three things each day I’m thankful for to keep my heart in a posture of gratitude.
Even still, I realize I was ignoring” the good” in “the struggles.”
It was the sudden recognition of my grumbling that caused me to see I was missing out on giving thanks in all things.
I am thankful to have found gratitude in my grumbling - only by the grace of God.
A simple start to gratitude is acknowledging one thing or person you are thankful for right now.
I am thankful for YOU! 💫
Thankful you’ve read this far 😉
Thankful you’re a part of the POD community 🥰
Thankful to see “the good” hiding in situations I deemed disappointing and unfair. 💛
Thankful for the hope of Jesus to redeem any situation. ✝️
With Utmost Gratitude,
Katie and Kristan