Biblical Answer

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Your Question:

How can I still be grateful when everything is taken away?

Answer:

As a pastor and a husband, I've learned that gratitude is a powerful tool in navigating life's challenges. When everything seems to be taken away, it's easy to feel desperate and hopeless. But I've found that thankfulness can be a lifeline in those moments. It begins with recognizing our own desperateness and need for God's provision. When we come before Him in humility, acknowledging our sinfulness and inability to supply our own needs, we open ourselves up to receiving His blessings and guidance.

One of the ways I cultivate gratitude is by focusing on the reasons to be thankful that Scripture provides. I keep a pad and paper next to my Bible to write down those reasons every time I read. I also try to use meal times as opportunities to give thanks, not just for the food on the table, but for the people around me and the blessings we've received. My wife Susan and I make it a point to express gratitude to each other, especially when we're facing challenges. By doing so, we break the cycle of familiarity and contempt and look for new things to be thankful for.

When I'm faced with the temptation to give up, I remind myself of the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I take time to reflect on the blessings I've received, no matter how small they may seem. I also try to see the world through God's eyes, recognizing the beauty and goodness in all things. By doing so, I'm able to pour out my gratitude to the Lord, and in return, I receive rivers of blessings that I never thought possible.

Sources:

depression
edward welch
philippians colossioan philemon
r kent hughes
confronting christianity
rebecca mclaughlin
mere christianity
c s lewis
building dynamic faith
jerry falwell
sacred marriage
gary thomas
ephesians
darrell bock
my utmost for his highest
oswald chambers

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