We all have them. Those hard places we would really rather not have in our lives. Those trials we face for a day, a month or maybe many seasons.
They might look different for each of us but it doesn’t change the fact it can be really hard to be thankful for them.
I’ve struggled with my weight my whole adult life. I have prayed countless times for the Lord to just fix it, please! I have swung the pendulum on both extremes – obsessing about what I eat/over exercising to complete neglect.
To be honest neither way is fun. I know it doesn’t sound earth shattering compared to so many other people’s struggles but it is a constant struggle for so many of us.
So how can we possibly be thankful for these struggles?
I wish I could tell you it comes natural for me to be thankful for my struggles. It doesn’t. But I do have hope for you – whatever your challenges in life – PRAYER!
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
I’ve learned God will never abandon me in the middle of life’s challenging times. He’s revealed so much about Himself and His heart for me through my own struggle. I’ve spent so many hours on my face begging God to take this from me.
So on the days I feel defeated I take it to Jesus. He loves me regardless of where I am on this journey, but He also loves me too much to leave me there.
On the days I feel like I have a handle on it, I still take it to Jesus. I can’t do this alone. I’ve tried! It’s just not in me to do it in my own strength.
I am learning to be thankful for this difficult place because it keeps me completely dependent on God. My desire is to hunger and thirst after Him more than anything else in this world.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (ESV)
[Tweet “Even when we can’t see the hand of God we can trust the heart of God. – Pastor Bill Hines”]
What areas in your life are you struggling with? Do you take them to God? I challenge you to do just that! Take them to Him daily. He’s more than capable of walking with you through it. He IS faithful!
Great reminders of taking it all-even the messy and most difficult stuff-directly to God. Thanks Laura for sharing your heart.
Thanks Jill!
How many times I have taken my body and weight to the foot of the Cross, handing me over to the Lord, and I still look at me and see me overweight even when I am not. I, too, have struggled since I was 13. I obsessed over every bite, every step or exercise or time in the gym, and then I did not care too, just like you share here. I am now 69 and now see a small belly (that often comes with aging) and I think I must surely weigh 500 pounds which I do not. I am only slightly overweight yet feel so much more. God reassures me that He created me and loves me as I am and as I will be and as I once was. No changing in Him. I thank you, Laura, for reminding me of where I always…always must go when I have self-doubt or when I lie to myself or cut myself down. He is my Creator. I am so very grateful.
May you continue to share the Truth and be grateful in all.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
I LOVE that there is NO changing in God. Regardless of where we are in our journey and struggles He stays the same. Great reminder for me today as well Linda. Thanks.
So true, being in a constant difficult place (mine is always feeling uprooted) keeps us dependent on him – and He is the only dependable thing in our lives. Grateful to God for his everlasting, rock-solid love no matter what. Thanks for being so open, Laura.
Yeah it doesn’t matter what the struggle is dependency on God is vital. Thanks for your encouragement Rachel.
Oh yes… I have been on both extremes in this battle as well! Trying to stay balanced, motivated, and relying on HIM throught it all seems to be the hardest fight! But here’s to mastering it because we can only do that WITH Him! So good!
I agree it’s such a hard fight but through Him we can do it. Thanks so much for your encouragement Karrilee.
Visiting from LivefreeThursday. Struggles and thankfulness do, most likely, not come natural to any of us. I am struggling in the area of forgiveness, it is the Lord leading me on this path and I must trust Him through the journey. Prayer is the key. It is in knowimg that the Lord hears our prayers in the struggle, knowing that He is present with us in the struggle, and knowing that He is working on our behalf, it is in those things that we can truly be thankful. It is all about Him! So we give thanks for what He has done, is doing, and will do!! Thank you for this great reminder! Happy Thanksgiving! Sweet Blessings to you!
Thanks Cheryl! Happy Thanksgiving and blessings to you as well.
Thank you for the reminder to give thanks in the struggle. I can relate to the struggle, the extremes, and depending on Him for strength in the battle. I love how you shared, “He’s revealed so much about Himself and His heart for me through my own struggle.” This is so true and such a great reason to give thanks!
So glad we can give thanks in the middle of our struggles. It helps me keep my eyes on Jesus instead of my own problems.