Most times, it’s so easy for us to praise God & to be thankful when things are going good. The promotion we prayed for has occurred, the bills are paid, & for the parents, the child(ren) you have been praying for are now on the right track. Yes, things are working out in our favor! This is when we can praise God the loudest, shout the most, & share our testimonies. Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of this, but what happens when the storms are rolling in & the blessings & answered prayers seem far off? How do we act in these storms? Are we thankful?
There are so many of us who are facing trying times & difficult circumstances. The storms, as well as challenges, are coming in full force. It’s as if a hurricane has been building & is set to hit our land (home, family, thoughts, prayers, bodies, etc.) at any moment. Do we praise God in this or do we doubt what He can do? Are we as prepared to be thankful spiritually as we are when preparing for a physical hurricane to hit?
To be thankful in our storms is one of our strengths in fighting & overcoming the storms. In Philippians 4:11, Paul states, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (NKJV). Contentment in the storms can be unimaginable when everything is happening, but even in physical hurricanes, the eye of the storm passes over & there is calmness in the air—during this time, it’s as if the hurricane isn’t even around us—the bands are whipping around, but nothing can touch us. This is how being thankful during the storms of life can be—praising God & being thankful for what’s occurring & the “why” behind it! For without the storms, we would remain the same: there would be no growth of faith or trust in God, even our praise life could remain stagnant.
The “eye” of life’s storms develop in us that spirit of thankfulness through trials & tribulations. We must praise God at all times & offer to Him the praise of thankfulness regardless of what is going on. For in the storms, we develop into who He’s calling us to be: thankful, faithful, strong, & unwavering.
As Romans 5:1-5 reminds us: 1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJV)
Give thanks to God at all times, even the storms have a purpose!
Until next time.
Blessings,
© Lisi P, 2016
