Have You Forgotten To Be Grateful? Series

If we have already made it to a point in life when we're kind of wondering about what else there is to life; that only means that we have already experienced a few terrifying moments, a few scabs as well as a few scars in the past. If we have been lucky enough to get up and dust ourselves off; we may leave it all behind as a distant memory and not be accompanied by pain and anguish; dread and fear for the rest of our journey here on earth. However; knowing that God is always in charge and nothing is ever a surprise to him, we already know how to find comfort in his promises. Seeing God ask Satan in Job 1:8, "Have you noticed my servant Job?"; we can't possibly ignore God's slight sarcasm as if He is setting Satan up for failure. God is already so confident in Job's solid worship that He knows nothing can possibly erode the purity of their relationship. And God watches Job withstand the three of his so-called religious friends' flawed interpretations as well as his wife's foolish remarks as she says, "Curse God and die"(Job 2:9). But Job had only worshipped God for who He is; and not for his personal belongings such as health, wealth, power, possessions, etc. He had known to love God for the right reason. So in the end; the entire event displays satan's failure because God ends up multiplying all that Job lost during his tremendous trials. Not only did Job did the right thing during the adversities; but he also paved the road for us as we continue to learn from his grateful attitude.

Therefore; Philippians 2:15 is a refresher course for every one of us as it says, "So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world." Though we aim to minister to those in need; what we don't often realize is the fact that others are learning a whole lot more by watching us handle life's difficulties with ease and poise. Our tearful situations are the most perfect medium for them to see that Faith is actually the plant, and that Hope is actually the root, and that Love is actually the fruit. All those heavenly qualities need to develop from within, and cannot be learned through the listening of someone's sermon or the reading of someone's book.

And once we start understanding that Gratitude is the fertilizer and the weed control; the entire process of leadership is being sprinkled with God's awesome power and wisdom. Only then do we truly find ourselves within the body of Christ and available for his works. The story of the ten lepers is the most obvious example. It depicts the ten despised lepers who stood at a distance and begged Jesus for mercy. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests; meaning He assured them they were granted the healing. When they started realizing the fact that they were healing while they were walking away from Jesus; "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God"(Luke 17:15). This verse really demonstrates how easy it would be for any of us to walk away with the goods and not remember the giver. And if we make a habit of it; we start limiting God's generosity.

God allows certain difficulties in our lives only when He knows for sure that we will cling to him even more and that they will strengthen our relationship with him. And in order for us to be more effective during our trials; we must also stop soiling the entire opportunity with our previous defeats. We must always make the most of all of that comes our way and the least of all that goes.

Blessings...