“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
Nobody gets through life without trials. Realistically, we are either in a storm, just getting out of a one, or about to enter a rough time. That is the bad news. Thankfully, we serve a good God who provides beautifully—especially during the dark periods of life.
If we are not in a difficult time, we more than likely will encounter one soon. Jesus promised that we will have many hardships in this life. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV) And was He right!
As unpleasant as trials are, and as much as we do not like to admit we are in a time of trouble, there's still much reason for giving thanks.
Protection. God doesn't necessarily keep believers from suffering or disappointment. Stopping the storms may be our goal, but from His point of view, the hardship may be necessary to make us more spiritually mature. But the Father offers protection by staying with us in the struggle. Once we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are promised that God indwells us and will never leave. What's more, we have assurance that nothing can separate us from His love. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39) So our ever-present God walks with us through the hardships, providing guidance and speaking nothing but pure truth into the situation. The problem becomes whether are we paying attention to what God is doing in the situation or focusing on what we can do to get out of the situation.
Peace. While difficulties cause many people anxiety, believers have God's peace. This inner serenity does not depend on whether circumstances improve. Rather, it's a result of our relationship with Him. Our main focus shouldn't be on fixing the problem but on our dependence upon God.
As we recognize the Lord's provision during trials, we can genuinely express gratitude. Doing so will enable us to fix our eyes on Him rather than on our circumstance. We often don't know what the purpose is for each ensuing trial, but we do know that our God is good and trustworthy.
No one enjoys trials or hardships. But remember to express gratitude for God's hand in our life and the way He will use the difficult times to bring glory to Himself. Hardships are chances to trust our Creator and to know Him better. Of course, they are painful, but don't waste the opportunity to become all the Lord has planned for us.
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