Gratitude In The Season of Grief: A Grateful Heart

Gratitude.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Being grateful in difficult and uncertain circumstances may seem like a tall order from an insensitive optimist, but it is indeed a refuge and comfort to fix our minds on Jehovah, Yahweh, I AM. When we give all of our cares and concerns to the Creator, our minds can rest. He never sleeps nor slumbers and He desires that we would come to Him instead of trying to solve the issue on our own.

We know that following Christ does not exempt us from trials and tribulations, but we are assured that in every season whether good or bad, joyful or full of mourning, we have a Helper, Counselor, Comforter, and Friend. We are not alone. 

We are not abandoned or left without help. We as the children of GOD should be able to see with our spiritual eyes that we need to keep our minds on what matters the most. While distractions seem to meet us at every turn, we are being called to a place of prayer, repentance, and ministry to the lost, hurting, and rebellious. As we minister and love others, we are guaranteed to reap what we lack. 

Within this call is a mandate to separate ourselves from the distractions of this world and any unclean practices or behaviors that could disrupt the communication and fellowship we share with our Father through His Son, Jesus.

From the beginning, He has desired a relationship with us and we are invited to take part in this again since the price of our sins has been paid in full by His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence (Ephesians 3:12).

The joy of the LORD is our strength. Joy supersedes happiness because it is a gift we receive as we spend time with The LORD. It is not contingent on what is happening around us, instead, we can choose to trust the LORD and have peace. There is no circumstance or problem within our lives that the LORD cannot fix and He is never surprised by anything. 

There is no one besides Jehovah, Yahweh who can help. He is the only living GOD.

This season gives us the opportunity to draw people with the goodness, love, and mercy of GOD. As He has poured this out to us we should freely distribute these gifts to those who need encouragement and grace. It is an opportunity for us to show the lovingkindness of the LORD and share the Good News with others.

The good news is that Jesus Christ came into the world to save the world from sin. He did not come for good people or smart people, tall people or short people, He came for ALL people! The disconnect we have had with our Creator and Father has been fixed.

 

While many are in a season of grief, we have an opportunity to love, comfort, and speak life to so many who are hurting and feel hopeless. We are the light of the world, a city on a hill which cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14).

My heart is filled with compassion for the masses who have been personally impacted by the coronavirus and a worldwide pandemic that lingers on to this day. Whether you lost a loved one or suffered the loss of employment, please be encouraged and know that this too shall pass. All seasons must end, none will last forever.

I too have experienced loss in this season and my prayer for all of us is that the Holy Spirit would comfort us in a way that only He knows how. Jesus Christ told His disciples in the book of John that it was necessary for Him to go so that he could send the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit comforts, guides, and directs those who will hear, listen and yield.

The Holy Spirit is no longer only available to the select few who were filled in their mothers' wombs, it is a gift that ALL believers can and should receive so that we can weather the storms and bring more souls into the Kingdom of GOD. 

Let us take action and fortify ourselves with the Word and the Spirit of Truth, also known as the Holy Ghost for the old school believers. Let us remind our souls that in spite of the grief, we can trust in the LORD. We can cry to Him. We can talk to Him. We can hear from Him. King David encouraged Himself and reminded his soul of the goodness of GOD, see Psalm 18:2; Psalm 27:14 and Psalm 31:24.

Did you know that the LORD is near unto them of a broken and contrite heart (Isaiah 66:2) and there is a blessing for those who mourn (Matthew 5:4). There is purpose even in our hurting moments and saddest days. Grab ahold of the only Living GOD and allow Him to heal and restore. We can all use some special attention at times and our Father can give us all that we need if we will seek Him. 

He will comfort those who call out to Him and never reject those who follow His Son. For this reason, we must give Him honor and praise. For this reason, He is worthy of all adoration and thanksgiving. 

We are commanded to give thanks in many scriptures but Paul's letter to the Thessalonians tells us that we should give thanks in every circumstance because it is GOD's will.

No matter what has been lost, those who place their trust in the LORD will always triumph and overcome. We do not walk a rosy path, nor do we always feel like trusting and obeying GOD remember that feelings are deceptive and GOD's Word cannot lie!

Let's take a look at Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Let us learn from the children of Israel and avoid the snares that kept so many from making it to their Promised Land. Let us put away our complaints and the murmuring and the discontent. Let us purposefully acknowledge the LORD's goodness and mercy in our lives and trust in Him regardless of what we see or how we feel.

Prayer:

In the name of Jesus, LORD we ask that give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to receive what you are doing in this season. Help us to take our eyes off of ourselves and others and place them on You. Amen.