Finding Gratitude in Hard Times
Life can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose sight of what’s truly important. Financial struggles, serious illness, and loss can weigh heavily on our hearts. But even in the midst of hardship, gratitude is a vital part of life.
The Consequences of Ungratefulness
The Bible warns us that those who refuse to honor God with gratitude risk destroying their own hearts. In Romans 1:21, we read, “They did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Taking Things for Granted
We often take significant things for granted, like the air we breathe and the ability to breathe it. The Bible reminds us that God gives us life and breath and everything (Acts 17:24-25). When was the last time you thanked God for the incredible gift of life?
The Root of the Problem
Our tendency to take things for granted points to a deeper issue. The first generation of humans rebelled against God, and that rebellion has been passed down to every subsequent generation. As Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The Solution
But God didn’t leave us without hope. Jesus Christ stepped in to pay the penalty for our sins, and through his death and resurrection, we can be assured of life with God in heaven. As John 14:19 says, “Because I live, you also will live.”
A Clear Path to God
Jesus made it clear that he is the way to God. In John 14:6, he said, “I am the way… No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in Acts 10:43, we read, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
A Free Gift
The offer of forgiveness is an absolutely free gift, made possible by believing that Christ died in our place. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “It is the gift of God, not a result of works.”
A Time to Accept
This Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to accept God’s offer of salvation. The God who gave up his own Son for us wants to help us face all our difficulties, starting the moment we place our trust in him.
A Reason to be Thankful
In a world filled with hardship and pain, God’s love and forgiveness are definitely something to be thankful for. So let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible gifts we’ve been given, and let’s express our gratitude to the God who loves us more than we can imagine.
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