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Gratitude in the Grind
by Debbie Smith
King David marveled, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them? (Psalm 8:4), amazed at God’s provision and protection, that mere mortals matter so much to the Almighty. The Creator delights in his creation, our Father loves his children and runs toward them, our Savior paid the steepest price possible on our behalf because he considers us to be the joy set before him. How can a perfect, all-powerful holy God care so much for me, when I’m so flawed and weak? Paul gives the Corinthians (and us) a window into this wonder, as we see that the Lord intentionally chose to store his greatest treasure, the good news of Jesus, in earthen containers….these fragile, human bodies.
We weren’t chosen by God in spite of our weakness, but because of it. The Lord didn’t ask us to ascend an impossible ladder to try to reach his heights, he stooped down to meet us where we are. Jesus came to us as an infant, he humbly rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, he entered into our world as Immanuel, God with us. God uses our frailties and faults to show that power, glory, strength, and triumph ultimately come from him, not from human effort or accomplishment.
C.S. Lewis said faith is “…the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances.” As we face the grind of life, we can sometimes feel like Paul…disheartened, stuck, at our wit’s end. This side of heaven we will all surely face times of struggle and discouragement. Paul encourages us not to lose heart, we are not destroyed in the crucible; in fact, our difficulties teach us to rely upon the strength of God’s power rather than ourselves. As we seek to trust God and thank him in adversity, our faith grows, and light shines through the cracks in these humble clay jars.
Prayer: Lord, our circumstances can sometimes feel blown about like fall leaves in the wind. Author Ann Voskamp described the practice of giving thanks even amidst struggle as the ‘hard eucharisteo,’ gratitude in spite of circumstances. Teach us to thank you in the calm and in the storm, fixing our eyes on you and the eternal glory that transcends our current troubles. Help us to have gratitude in the grind, and let your strength shine through in our weakness. In your good name we pray Jesus, Amen.
ADVENT NOTE:
The Journey team has been working on an Advent study that we will be sharing from December 1 – 28. Over those days you will receive The Journey Advent Guide as a daily email. We are super excited to share the stories and inspiration of 26 writers with you! If you know someone who would like to subscribe to The Journey email, share this LINK.
[Monday, November 25]
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
God stores his priceless eternal treasure–the light of his glory and knowledge of Jesus–in human bodies, these fragile, temporary vessels. In the ancient world, clay jars were functional yet fragile; essential to everyday life for carrying food and water, but easily chipped, cracked and broken. We are the humble containers our glorious God pours himself into. How do you relate to this imagery, with God as the potter and you as the clay? Can you see how our outward fragility magnifies the glory of God residing within us?
[Tuesday, November 26]
Psalm 34
David encourages us to ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Just as we learn to love new foods by first trying a bite, we learn to experience God’s goodness firsthand as we initially take simple steps to trust him and take him at his word. What could you do today to trust God in something small today, to ask for one more spoonful of faith?
[Wednesday, November 27]
2 Corinthians 4:13-15
Although your trials are unlike mine, and our trials are unlike those faced by Paul and the Corinthians, we are all united by the same spirit of faith. Consider one or two biblical figures who resonate with you as examples of great faith or courage, then soak in the realization that this very same spirit, whether in Abraham, David or Paul, is also in you. How might the power of this spirit of faith encourage you as you face valleys and challenges?
[Thursday, November 28]
Psalm 116
Psalm 116 is a song of Thanksgiving that celebrates God hearing our prayers, as he provides relief and rescue from distress. Reflect upon a way the Lord has rescued or relieved you, prayerfully asking that he lead you to have eyes to see and a receptive, humble heart…. Perhaps to see God’s provision in a way you hadn’t considered before.
[Friday, November 29]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When we’re in the midst of troubles, it can sometimes be difficult to view them as light and momentary. Do you recall a time when you felt overwhelmed by a challenge that you can now see, in hindsight, as light and momentary? How was God helping you in ways you didn’t realize at the time?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
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Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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