This week, we lost a family member. I have reached into the archives of my writings to share my thoughts on how we walk in victory even in the midst of hard things. I pray that you are encouraged, as I was when God reminded me of the ways He has worked in my life.

Recent years have been difficult for many of us. We witnessed natural disasters, a worldwide pandemic, social and political unrest, and heartbreaking violence. In my community, we witnessed first-hand the loss, the physical need, and the emotional and spiritual wounding of so many individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. We have often found ourselves in a place we would have never willingly chosen. The temptation may be to cower, to whimper, to shake-our fists and scream “It’s not fair!” But, do those reactions bring relief or correct a situation outside of our control? Rarely, if ever, does that path bring relief or rescue.

 I suggest a radically different approach. Can we choose to be thankful? Can we choose to praise the LORD regardless of our circumstances? Psalm 50:23 boldly proclaims that when we bring an offering of thanksgiving and praise that glorifies GOD, we will see the demonstration of HIS salvation.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were preaching the Gospel, baptizing believers, and planting the Church of Philippi. While doing the next right thing that God showed them, they were arrested. Once arrested, they faced false accusations from an angry mob and were beaten by the officials. After the beating, they were thrown into prison and bound with chains on their feet. Loss of freedom, loss of purpose, attacked, confined, loss of possessions, loss of comfort… do any of these losses resonate in your heart today? If the next line read “and they reacted in anger,” or “and they sunk into a deep depression,” or “and they questioned the goodness of God,” we would understand. We could empathize and agree their circumstances weren’t fair; it was just too much! But that is not how the next line reads, is it?

Paul and Silas chose a radically different approach to dealing with fear, pain, and loss (Acts 16:25). Paul and Silas chose to pray and sing praises to God amid their loss and pain. They brought an offering of thanksgiving and praise to the LORD (Psalm 50:23) and witnessed a miraculous demonstration of salvation from God. Through an earthquake, God broke off their shackles. But more importantly, because of their obedience to choose to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to the LORD, the jailer and his whole household believed in Jesus and were baptized!

Can we choose honestly to admit that our circumstances have been difficult? Can we acknowledge our many losses and recognize we aren’t in a place or circumstance we would have willingly chosen? Then, in the honesty of those admissions, can we make a radically bold choice? What if we on-purpose chose to live out Psalm 50:23? What if we didn’t wait until that Thursday in late November, but started today to intentionally offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and sing praise to the LORD? What shackles might GOD break off our lives? More importantly, who might believe on the name of Jesus and come to salvation because we were obedient?

I understand, that choosing to be thankful in the midst of the hard, painful, and uncertain feels counter-intuitive. Actually, it sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it? But I hope you will join me. Make the conscious decision to choose thanksgiving and praise- even when life is hard. Choose to be vigilant in seeking out things to thank the LORD for. Persevere in finding even small things to praise Him for. Be diligent and determined to make an offering of thanksgiving and praise every day, every hour because of who HE is- worthy of all honor and praise. Seek out things to be grateful for, and live a life that shouts thanksgiving. Then, watch for it, that demonstration of salvation, a gift from God.

Serving alongside you,

Carla