Choosing Gratitude: Finding Strength and Contentment in Christ

You know, it's easier, though, when things are going good. When life is good, it seems like it's easy to be thankful, although it's easy to forget to be thankful when life is going good. And it can sometimes seem harder when life is messy, stressful, or painful. Yet the Scriptures call us to do something radical, to give thanks in all circumstances. Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, says it this way in Philippians chapter 4. He says, Don't worry about anything, but in everything, in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [00:02:23] (38 seconds)  #GiveThanksAlways

Maybe for you today, giving thanks is a little bit harder this year. Maybe it's because you're missing someone, someone you've lost. Maybe you're going through a season of pain, uncertainty, or exhaustion. And if this is you this morning, the good news is, is that you may even be more ready this year than other years to experience real gratitude. You see, because sometimes when life is comfortable and full, we forget where our blessings come from. [00:03:17] (37 seconds)  #GratitudeInHardTimes

When they had little and they had dependence, they were thankful most of the time. But when they have abundance, they're going to forget. And you and I can fall into that same trap. So perhaps if you're in the other side of that and you're realizing the loss and the pain this year, you perhaps are even more grateful for that, even what you have lost. Paul continues in Philippians 4 and he tells us it this way. He says, I've learned to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself. [00:05:25] (32 seconds)  #ContentmentInAll

Three things that are to be the marks of followers of Jesus. Rejoicing always, pray constantly, and giving thanks in everything. That gratitude, that thankfulness is not grounded in our possessions, our comfort, our achievements, not our emotional highs, but in Christ alone. When our gratitude is tied to Jesus and what he has done, then it doesn't depend on our circumstances, that even in the midst of pain, in the loss or chaos, we can choose a posture of gratitude. [00:10:13] (36 seconds)  #StrengthThroughChrist

Friends, I know for some of you this year has been difficult. Missing someone you love, a relationship that's strained, work has been tough, maybe it's been some health challenges, some financial stress, some emotional pains that are weighing on your heart. Even in those circumstances, we're invited to choose gratitude. Not because life is perfect, nor from it, but because Christ is present and God is good. Philippians 4.13 reminds us of that passage that's so often taken out of context. [00:14:37] (36 seconds)  #BelovedAndForgiven

And that passage, as we saw earlier, as we read the whole context of it, it's not about, you know, passing that test, beating that football team, or conquering that project at work. That's not what he's talking about here. Paul is saying, I can do all things through him who gives me strength. I can be content. That's the prayer that he's pointing to. A contentment and thankfulness, not on his own self-reliance, it's about Jesus. Jesus is strength for us. Jesus who forgives us and invites us to rely on him for everything. [00:15:16] (33 seconds)  #CultivateGratitudeDaily

The greatest story of gratitude is not about what we were able to do this year. It's not even about a successful harvester or making it to another year. It's always going to be about Jesus, God's ultimate gift of his son who took upon the sins of the whole world, who died and rose again, conquering death. And through baptism, his story has now become our story. Like Jack last weekend and Matthew a little bit later this morning, added to that family of Christ to declare the deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. [00:15:54] (34 seconds)  #GratiCubeChallenge

Friends, that's who we are. We're his people. We are his. We belong to him. The times may not be good. The things you experience may not be good, but God is still good. And so perhaps what we need this Thanksgiving is not just to go around the table and mention the things we're thankful for, but to begin to daily cultivate an attitude and a posture of gratitude. [00:17:22] (29 seconds)  #NameYourStruggles

And sometimes it's helpful to name that out loud. And it's incredibly helpful to name that out loud in prayer to the Lord God to not ignore it, not stuff it, but call upon Him who has overcome that for you. The fourth thing I encourage you to do is do this in community, to celebrate together, to share stories of God's goodness with others. [00:20:25] (23 seconds)

``Write a note on snail mail or email or text or make that phone call and just realize you're grateful in the midst of so many things that can be overwhelming. To realize gratitude is not simply just a feeling. It's a decision, a discipline, a posture, is trust. So if your heart is heavy today, if someone's missing from your table, if you feel overwhelmed or weary, Christ is meeting you here today. His strength is enough. His grace is sufficient. His peace guards your heart. [00:20:56] (35 seconds)