If you are going through difficult days, learn to praise God for whatever situation you’re in. It’s strange advice. Why in the world would you thank God for the bad times in your life, you might ask.
I believe God uses tough times to teach us to be grateful. Here are some examples from my life.
This morning, I got to sleep as late as I wanted. I said, “Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful night’s sleep.” I spent many sleep-deprived years as a student, a teacher and a mother to three active children. I remember how it felt to operate on little sleep, but had it not been for those hard days, I wouldn’t appreciate a good eight hours of sleep.
As I made my way to the kitchen, I determined to cook myself a good breakfast. When I opened the fridge, I thanked God for the bounty found there. We had lean years where there were not the choices I found today. There was bacon aplenty, four dozen eggs, real orange juice, fruit all cut up and cherry preserves.
When I was growing up, Daddy mainly carried grape jelly, or maybe apple, in our country store where we also got our groceries. After I married and got to go to a “real” grocery store, I discovered cherry preserves for just a few more pennies than grape jelly. I indulged then and still do.
Frugal living
I got out the bacon and pampered myself by taking out three slices. In earlier years, we could only buy a pound of bacon and that usually came from a box of awkwardly sliced or end pieces. I rationed it so it would last for more than one meal, cooking no more than two slices each for Steve and me and our three sons. I would then cook pan after pan of cinnamon toast to fill their bellies.
I could have put my bacon in the microwave this morning, but I didn’t. I wanted to enjoy the sensory delight of smelling the bacon frying. There is no better smell. In that good bacon fat, I fried two eggs.
Now let me say, my family never went hungry in our leanest times, for which I’m grateful. God provided work, even though the low-paying jobs didn’t always stretch far enough to buy everything we thought we needed.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Phil. 4:10–12)
As I sat down today to eat my feast, my eyes were overflowing with tears as my heart felt such gratitude for the way I’m blessed by my Heavenly Father. Just as I was about to take my first bite, wouldn’t you know it, the phone rang. It was my son Scott. Instead of being bothered by the interruption, again I felt thankful he cared enough to call his mom. It made my breakfast even tastier as I took bites in between my responses to him.
Life lessons
Yes, I AM thankful for hard times because they have taught me to be thankful for good days and good things. I’m sure you could add to the thought train, but here are some of mine:
- If it weren’t for the rain, how much would we appreciate the dry?
- If it weren’t for the cold, how would we know to enjoy the heat?
- If we never experienced pain, how would we know comfort?
- If I were never lonely, how much would I appreciate visits from family and friends?
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