Embracing Gratitude: Finding Blessings in Struggles

 

Summary

Gratitude is a profound spiritual discipline that can transform our lives, especially during challenging times. As we gather on the eve of Thanksgiving, it's a moment to reflect on the journey of gratitude we've embarked upon. This journey began two years ago, inspired by friends who encouraged us to nurture our spiritual craft. We've become a community known as The Fellowship of the Withered Hand, united by the understanding that while we can't always shape our lives as we wish, God can, and we trust Him to do so.

Gratitude is not merely a feeling but a practice, a discipline of celebration. Dallas Willard describes it as the completion of worship, where we engage in joy and delight, recognizing our lives and the world as God's gifts. This perspective is crucial, especially when life becomes difficult. The story of Habakkuk resonates deeply here. Despite facing worsening circumstances, Habakkuk chose to rejoice in God, trusting in His goodness even when the fig tree did not blossom, and the fields yielded no food. This ancient struggle mirrors our own, teaching us to trust and be grateful even when life is hard.

Gratitude is a learner's skill, one that we can improve upon. It's about choosing to focus our thoughts on God's goodness, even when our emotions don't naturally align. This practice can lead us to a deeper understanding of God's presence, even in the midst of suffering. It's about being grateful, not just feeling grateful, and allowing that gratitude to foster generosity and empathy towards others who are struggling.

The story of Alice Herz-Sommer, a Holocaust survivor, exemplifies this. Despite enduring unimaginable hardships, she found a "Garden of Eden in hell" through gratitude. Her life, shaped by gratitude, teaches us that even in the darkest times, we can find beauty and reason to be thankful.

As we continue this journey, let's remember that true blessings often come not from a Charmed Life but from finding God in the midst of our struggles. This Thanksgiving, may we embrace a blessed life, one that acknowledges the reality of our circumstances and finds God there.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gratitude as a Discipline of Celebration: Gratitude is more than a fleeting emotion; it's a spiritual discipline that completes our worship. By celebrating God's gifts, we engage in a holy delight that counters despair and fosters genuine gratitude. This practice helps us see God's greatness and goodness in our lives. [03:20]

2. Trusting God in Difficult Times: The story of Habakkuk teaches us to trust in God's goodness even when circumstances worsen. Gratitude in such times is not about ignoring reality but about acknowledging God's presence and faithfulness despite the challenges. [07:24]

3. Being Grateful vs. Feeling Grateful: While we can't always control our emotions, we can choose to be grateful by focusing our thoughts on God's goodness. This intentional practice can lead to a deeper sense of gratitude and a more generous spirit towards others. [09:11]

4. Finding Eden in Hell: Alice Herz-Sommer's story illustrates how gratitude can create a "Garden of Eden" even in the most hellish conditions. Her life shows that gratitude can transform our perspective, allowing us to appreciate everything as a gift. [16:02]

5. Blessed vs. Charmed Life: True blessings come not from a Charmed Life but from finding God in our struggles. A blessed life acknowledges the reality of our circumstances and discovers God's presence and grace within them. [18:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Gratitude and Thanksgiving
- [00:25] - The Fellowship of the Withered Hand
- [01:07] - The Gratitude Challenge
- [02:29] - Gratitude in Difficult Times
- [03:20] - Celebration as a Spiritual Discipline
- [04:05] - Holy Delight and Joy
- [05:26] - Slowing Down to Appreciate
- [06:07] - The Story of Habakkuk
- [07:24] - Trusting God Despite Circumstances
- [08:27] - The Difference Between Feeling and Being Grateful
- [09:55] - Gratitude and Generosity
- [11:14] - Meeting Others in Their Suffering
- [12:14] - Our Home in God
- [13:57] - Gratitude as a Frame of Reference
- [16:02] - A Garden of Eden in Hell
- [18:48] - Blessed vs. Charmed Life
- [19:28] - Closing and Thanksgiving Wishes

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Discipline of Gratitude

Bible Reading:
1. Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV): "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
2. Psalm 84:3-4 (NIV): "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Habakkuk choose to do despite the lack of visible blessings in his life? How does this reflect the sermon’s message on gratitude? [07:24]
2. According to the sermon, how does Dallas Willard describe gratitude in relation to worship? [03:20]
3. What is the significance of the story of Alice Herz-Sommer in illustrating the power of gratitude? [16:02]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between feeling grateful and being grateful? [09:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Habakkuk’s response to his circumstances challenge our understanding of faith and gratitude during difficult times? [07:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that gratitude can be a discipline that transforms our perspective on life’s challenges? [03:20]
3. How might the story of Alice Herz-Sommer inspire someone to find gratitude in their own difficult circumstances? [16:02]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between gratitude and generosity towards others? [11:01]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you respond, and how might practicing gratitude have changed your perspective? [07:24]
2. The sermon suggests that gratitude is a discipline that completes our worship. How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily spiritual practices? [03:20]
3. Consider someone in your life who is going through a tough time. How can you use your gratitude to foster generosity and support for them? [11:01]
4. Alice Herz-Sommer found a "Garden of Eden in hell" through gratitude. What are some small things in your life that you can be thankful for, even in challenging times? [16:02]
5. How can you shift your focus from feeling grateful to being grateful, especially when your emotions don’t naturally align with gratitude? [09:11]
6. The sermon mentions the difference between a blessed life and a charmed life. How can you find God in your struggles and recognize true blessings in your life? [18:48]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to see God’s goodness. What steps can you take this week to practice gratitude in that area? [07:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice
Gratitude is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a spiritual discipline that completes our worship. By celebrating God's gifts, we engage in a holy delight that counters despair and fosters genuine gratitude. This practice helps us see God's greatness and goodness in our lives. Engaging in gratitude as a discipline means intentionally focusing on the blessings we have, even when life is challenging. It is about recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and responding with joy and thankfulness. This perspective allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and appreciate the broader picture of God's work in our lives. [03:20]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific gift from God that you can celebrate today, and how can you express your gratitude for it in a tangible way?


Day 2: Trusting God in Difficult Times
The story of Habakkuk teaches us to trust in God's goodness even when circumstances worsen. Gratitude in such times is not about ignoring reality but about acknowledging God's presence and faithfulness despite the challenges. Habakkuk's choice to rejoice in God, even when the fig tree did not blossom and the fields yielded no food, is a powerful example of faith. This ancient struggle mirrors our own, reminding us that we can find strength and hope by trusting in God's unchanging nature. In difficult times, gratitude becomes a declaration of faith, affirming that God is with us and will see us through. [07:24]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God? How can you choose to express gratitude for His presence and faithfulness in that situation today?


Day 3: Being Grateful vs. Feeling Grateful
While we can't always control our emotions, we can choose to be grateful by focusing our thoughts on God's goodness. This intentional practice can lead to a deeper sense of gratitude and a more generous spirit towards others. Being grateful is an active choice, a decision to see God's hand at work even when our emotions don't naturally align. By cultivating this mindset, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of God's presence and are better equipped to extend empathy and generosity to those around us. Gratitude becomes a lens through which we view the world, transforming our interactions and relationships. [09:11]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you struggled to feel grateful. How can you intentionally choose to focus on God's goodness in that situation today?


Day 4: Finding Eden in Hell
Alice Herz-Sommer's story illustrates how gratitude can create a "Garden of Eden" even in the most hellish conditions. Her life shows that gratitude can transform our perspective, allowing us to appreciate everything as a gift. Despite enduring unimaginable hardships, she found beauty and reason to be thankful, demonstrating that gratitude is a powerful force for resilience and hope. Her example challenges us to look for the good in every situation, no matter how dire, and to cultivate a heart of thankfulness that transcends our circumstances. [16:02]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel like you are in a "hellish" situation? How can you begin to find a "Garden of Eden" through gratitude in that area today?


Day 5: Blessed vs. Charmed Life
True blessings come not from a Charmed Life but from finding God in our struggles. A blessed life acknowledges the reality of our circumstances and discovers God's presence and grace within them. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking a life free of difficulties to recognizing the profound blessings that come from walking with God through them. It is about understanding that God's presence is the ultimate blessing, providing strength, comfort, and guidance in every situation. By embracing this truth, we can live a life marked by peace and contentment, regardless of our external circumstances. [18:48]

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective from seeking a "charmed life" to recognizing the blessings of God's presence in your current struggles? What practical steps can you take to embrace this mindset today?

Quotes


Gratitude is not merely a feeling but a practice, a discipline of celebration. Dallas Willard describes it as the completion of worship, where we engage in joy and delight, recognizing our lives and the world as God's gifts. This perspective is crucial, especially when life becomes difficult. [00:03:20]

We engage in celebration when we enjoy ourselves, our life, our world in conjunction with our faith and confidence in God's greatness, beauty, and goodness. We concentrate on our life and our world as God's work and God's gift to us. [00:03:45]

Holy delight and joy is the great antidote to despair and is a wellspring of genuine gratitude, the kind that starts at our toes and blasts off from our loins and diaphragm through the top of our head, flinging our arms and our eyes and our voice upward towards our good God. [00:04:09]

The story of Habakkuk resonates deeply here. Despite facing worsening circumstances, Habakkuk chose to rejoice in God, trusting in His goodness even when the fig tree did not blossom, and the fields yielded no food. This ancient struggle mirrors our own, teaching us to trust and be grateful even when life is hard. [00:06:07]

Even though the fig tree doesn't flourish nor fruit or on the vines if the labor of the olive fails and the fields yield no food if the flocker cut off from the fold and there's no herd in the stalls yet I will rejoice in God I will be joyful in the god of my salvation. [00:07:27]

Being grateful is something that we are able to choose to do. What I can do is cause my thoughts to be placed on God and God's goodness to me. I can look at the world around me and I can look at the beauty of it and I can think this is not here by accident. [00:09:11]

Alice Herz-Sommer's story illustrates how gratitude can create a "Garden of Eden" even in the most hellish conditions. Her life shows that gratitude can transform our perspective, allowing us to appreciate everything as a gift. [00:16:02]

She was a renowned concert pianist, a close friend of Franz Kafka. She has lived through and seen more than any of us can imagine. In 1942 she was a well-known concert pianist living in Prague. She was deported to a Nazi concentration camp. [00:16:42]

A Garden of Eden in hell, and the biblical imagery of that, the fact that we live in a broken world, which means that hell will interrupt our lives and it has ours and it has yours or it will yours, but then the presence of God home Garden of Eden can be present even in the hellish conditions on Earth. [00:17:59]

True blessings come not from a Charmed Life but from finding God in our struggles. A blessed life acknowledges the reality of our circumstances and discovers God's presence and grace within them. [00:18:48]

To have a blessed life when Jesus says blessed are those who mourn, they're not charmed, that's not a charmed life, but we can be blessed because we can find God there and we can meet each other there. [00:19:28]

We thank God upon every remembrance of you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. [00:19:48]

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Transcript
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