Thanking the Lord for the tough times?!
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High" Ps. 9:1-2, NRSV.
Is it really possible or even wise to thank the Lord for the tough times? Are we to praise him even in the midst of the most trying of circumstances? By any human measure, what kind of logic is that?
Before I continue, I wish to thank and to praise the name of Jesus for his continued manifest strength, endurance and blessings. I wish to thank him for providing us with opportunities to have our faith strengthened and reassured. He has been merciful and he has demonstrated his love for us abundantly.
This week has been so full of challenges, blessings and opportunities to experience the love and grace of The Lord and family. It would have been so much easier to wallow in misery and in the self-pity and agony that comes with a sudden family crisis. Yet, it is only truly during the toughest of times in which our faith is most radically constructed. We have been and are going through such a time of struggle with Mom's health. However, we have also been privy to the mighty workings of the Holy Spirit throughout our lives. Not only has he exhibited mercy and comfort during the tough times; he has also provided us with the unique opportunity to have our faith deepened.
I am not trivializing the situation or the pain that has been wrought. I am, however, stating that in the midst of the seemingly darkest times that the Lord has burst through with the brightest of lights. We have been given new opportunities and fresh perspective on life, on family and on priorities. How can you fail to praise his name in the light of such an event?
You see, it is very easy to praise his name when things are going well. It is very easy to praise his name in the midst of health and prosperity. However, it is not really during those times in which our faith is brought to the forefront. Though it may seem paradoxical, it is really during the tough times, the hardest times in which our faith is truly put to the test. It is during those times in which one's faith is either conformed or denied.
Is it easy to trust in the Lord during tough times? No. There is, in fact, very little that is actually easy during tough times. That is part of what makes them tough. However, if one is truly reliant upon the Lord, truly serious about their commitment to him and truly wish to live by the adage, "not my will but yours, Father", then one must be willing to accept his guidance. He will get you through those tough times. Simply let him do it. This is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength and confidence. When you are confident enough in the lordship of Jesus Christ, you can release yourself into a time of tremendous faith building. By stepping back and allowing the Lord to be in control, to acquiesce to his leading during the tough times, one can gain tremendous perspective. He has brought you thus far in life. He has stated that he will NEVER leave you and will NEVER forsake you. Therefore, you can rest assured that he will bring you through the toughest of times right now.
What a comfort and even what a joy and privilege it is to serve the living God!
I have experienced these very things this past week and I believe with all of my heart that they are true. I am so thankful for the ways in which the Lord has continually made himself known, present and caring. That is why I want and must praise his name - even in the midst of the tough times! I am also quite confident that if he has done this in my life and in the lives of my family that he will do the same for you. All you have to do is to let him.
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