Image by Melissa Clayton
Judith began this thanksgiving with a song of praise for the Lord.
It’s easy to sing praises when our cups are full and every need is met. When the enemy has been crushed, and the people have been saved, it’s appropriate to celebrate.
But what about when we’re struggling? Do we still give thanks?
I hope to share a quick personal story with you. Since my husband deployed in December 2013, I have been single-parenting while finishing my degree. After what will be 506 days (yes, I’m counting!) of stress, exhaustion, moving, rape threats (I’m not even joking about that), and ridiculous amounts of sweat, blood, and tears, I will finally graduate this May. And I’m still standing only because of God.
I cannot tell you how much God has carried me throughout this trying time. What really helped me every day was a simple prayer of thanks.
“Thank You, God, for giving me strength”
became my daily mantra. Even when I felt utterly weak and exhausted, ready to throw in the towel, and bawling on the kitchen floor. Most of the time, I “faith-ed” it til I made it.
Gratitude for all your blessings and heartaches in every moment of every day - is the single most powerful cure to the biggest struggles.
Maybe you’re struggling with something heavy and you feel like giving up. Your heart hurts, and there’s no joy throughout your day.
Sister, my heart truly goes out to you. I pray that you will find God in the deepest corners of your desert, and give thanks. Seek Him and find Him, and give thanks, for every day is a gift from God.
Peace be with you, my gorgeous faithful sister.
