It’s easy to be thankful when everything is going well, but how can we have an attitude of gratitude when life has us on the ropes?
Like most of you, life doesn’t always go the way I hope. So how should we respond?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1afMm7Robx4
Why is trust in God such a big part of thankfulness? Full trust means we acknowledge that God created everything and is in control, whether we understand what is happening or not. And if God is fully in control then that means our situation never surprises the Almighty.
God doesn’t expect us to always be happy and act as if nothing is ever wrong, but we do need to trust, and that’s not always easy.
So what are you thankful in spite of this year? Be honest about the parts of life that suck. Then decide whether or not you fully accept the proposition that God is for you. If that’s true, then even the tough stuff is under heaven’s control.
Do you struggle with trusting God?
11 replies on “How to be Thankful When Life Sucks”
Love this.
Yes, I struggled a few times over the year trusting God. I think it’s funny how on the back of money it says “In God We Trust” and it’s the root of all evil and the reason I had a hard time trusting and believing God would come through.
Trusting Him wasn’t always easy and there were plenty of times I wanted to give up on life and on Him. But I don’t know, something inside me told me to keep trusting. I don’t think it would have been possible without faith.
But enough about me.
I’m sorry to hear about your job situation but I love your attitude about it and the smile on your face through it. It says a lot about your character. If you need any help with anything, I’m willing to extend help.
Happy Thanksgiving Clay!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! I really do believe God is always good. It’s not always easy to believe that but it is always true.
Oh, nicely done. How come you can talk to a camera normally and when I do my eyebrows go crazy and I fidget and fall off chairs and look extremely unnatural? No matter.
Yo, thanks for remembering us northerners.
I spent today teaching my students how to spell “hoar” frost.
To get to the meat of your post, I find it easier to remember God is in charge when my life sucks. Which is really pretty pathetic and needy and spoiled-child-like. Yeah.
That is all.
Happy Thanksgiving, eh? Go Stampeders! (Calgary is playing in the Grey Cup on Sunday and I’m going to an outdoor party.) Brrrrrrrr.
Ah, the Stampeders. I’m one country away from being a fan. I think I agree about remembering God is in control more when life sucks. It’s then we either most need or blame God right? I don’t think that’s so pathetic.
I’m thankful that His timing is perfect,and He has given me awesome people in my life to help me be patient while waiting! I’m thankful for the humor, love,and peaceful moments;when they pop up,I’m most appreciative. 😉 Oooo,hearing what everyone’s thankful for makes me want to curl up with a blanket and make little,happy creature noises. *squeaks of contentment* Happy Thanksgiving,Clay Morgan! Nice post.
Squeaks of contentment are what those creatures in the field that God is pals with make.
Again I’m on that fence in that I think I totally trust God…but I often don’t act on that trust. So I have to ask myself what that really means. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and I believe in that ending – I can see and believe in the light at the end of the tunnel. My trust has a long-term kind of feel to it, and I flounder in the here and now. I am trying to learn how to listen, let go and trust in a more immediate way.
Thank you Clay. I’m thankful that you’re willing to share your thoughts and struggles with us. It’s helpful. And you’re right, things will be fine. Sometimes we need to be pushed to move on and I have a feeling your life will be changing in the next two years.
Yup, it’s easier to say “things will all work out” than it is to know right now that we’ll be okay even if we’re not okay. Does that make sense? One thing I’ve learned is that trust isn’t about safety. A life of trust is lived on the edge.
Perfect sense. “…trust isn’t about safety. A life of trust is lived on the edge.” You often give me some kind of perspective that I need, and that’s so right. When things aren’t going well, I tend to cling tighter to my control. Maybe things are bad, but at least I understand that bad – and it feels safer to sit tight than to let God lead me elsewhere. Giving up control truly feels like living on the edge, like riding unrestrained on a roller coaster.
This was beautiful Clay. Belief that everything will work out has always worked for me!
Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Thanks Susie, good to have that positive belief. It doesn’t always work out the way we hope. Trusting and believing in those times is even tougher but more beautiful.