Wait! Give thanks!
By Pastor Iraida
Which of the two lines in the image do you find yourself most often, complaints or gratitude?
Do you know that you can offer thanks to God while waiting? Perhaps you are waiting for an answer to prayer, healing for health or the mending of relationships, a confirmation or a sign for something you hold deep in your heart, a positive change in your life or the life of loved ones, a shift in your finances, the purchase of a new car or home, planning a family, writing a will or testament, deciding whether or not to donate organs, accepting a position in the church, planning a vacation, caring for ailing parents, moving to another location, retirement, or getting a pet. If these are thoughts you may consider worth losing sleep over, try praying and praising God over the circumstances with a grateful heart. At the end of the day, we know it is for our good whether God affirms with a resounding yes, asks you to wait a bit longer, or whispers a loving no. Being grateful for the unseen and what is yet to come is exercising our faith and trust in God, knowing that whatever the outcome, it will be good because God is good, will never harm us, and will save us from our own decisions and choices.
Psalm 50:14-15 reminds us that there is no more pleasing to God than the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving when we find ourselves in deep concern, worry, uncertainty, doubt, illness, grief, or suffering. God made all things; how can God not make all that is seemingly impossible in our lives possible?
Can you sing a praise song, a hymn, and praise the Lord with all your might and strength in dire moments when everything seems on hold? If not, here are some things you can try. 1. Read Scripture; it’s a source of strength and hope. 2. List things you are grateful for, like answered prayers or the times you have seen God at work around you and in your life. 3. Share with others how God has satisfied your needs in the past and your excitement about what God will do next. 4. Reflect on those days God responded to your prayers, and you did not notice until later. Take the time to offer your gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving. 5. Pursue a life of joy by thanking God daily for small and big occurrences. 6. Leave sticky notes around the house on things gifted to you throughout the years. Say a prayer for the one who gifted you the item. 7. Always remember God’s most extraordinary act through Jesus Christ for all of humanity: He died for us all to forgive our sins so that we may have abundant life in God’s kingdom here and now and in abundance for eternity.
Have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving Day with family and friends!
In Christ,
Pastor Iraida