Finding Gratitude Amidst Life's Challenges
Summary
In this Thanksgiving message, I reflect on the unique challenges of 2020 and the importance of gratitude even amidst adversity. This year has been marked by a series of global and personal storms, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic insecurity, social instability, and political incivility. Many people feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to be thankful. However, the Bible teaches us that gratitude is a powerful emotion that can relieve stress, increase happiness, and improve our physical health.
The key to understanding gratitude is recognizing that we are not called to be thankful for everything, but in everything. Life is a mix of good and bad, and maturity comes from being able to find gratitude in the midst of challenges. I encourage everyone to focus on three things we can always be grateful for: God's grace, His plans for our lives, and the hope of heaven.
God's grace is the foundation of our gratitude. Everything good in our lives is a gift from God, and His grace is evident in the forgiveness of our sins and the blessings we receive daily. We are also reminded of God's good plans for us, plans that offer hope and a future, even when life seems difficult. Lastly, the hope of heaven provides us with the assurance that our current struggles are temporary and that eternal joy awaits us.
This Thanksgiving, I urge you to express your gratitude by sharing your testimony with others, singing songs of thanks, and being generous. These acts of gratitude not only honor God but also enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us make this Thanksgiving a time of true thankfulness, focusing more on giving thanks than on the usual festivities.
Key Takeaways:
1. Gratitude in Adversity: Gratitude is not about being thankful for every circumstance but finding thankfulness within every situation. This perspective shift allows us to mature spiritually and emotionally, recognizing that life is a blend of good and bad, and gratitude helps us navigate both. [03:28]
2. God's Grace: Everything good in our lives is a gift from God, a testament to His grace. This grace is not earned but freely given, reminding us that our lives are filled with blessings we often take for granted. Embracing this grace fosters a deep sense of gratitude. [05:40]
3. God's Plans: Even in difficult times, we can trust in God's good plans for our lives. These plans are designed to give us hope and a future, encouraging us to persevere through challenges with the assurance that God is working for our good. [07:08]
4. Hope of Heaven: The promise of heaven provides us with hope beyond our current struggles. This eternal perspective helps us endure life's hardships, knowing that ultimate victory and joy await us in God's presence. [10:28]
5. Expressing Gratitude: We can express our gratitude through testimonies, singing, and acts of generosity. These expressions not only honor God but also strengthen our relationships and communities, making gratitude a transformative force in our lives. [16:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction and Thanksgiving Context
- [00:33] - Challenges of 2020
- [01:55] - The Power of Gratitude
- [02:37] - Understanding Gratitude in All Circumstances
- [03:42] - Life's Dual Nature: Good and Bad
- [05:01] - Being Grateful for God's Grace
- [06:41] - Trusting in God's Plans
- [08:02] - God's Goodness Amidst Life's Challenges
- [09:48] - Romans 8:28 and Gratitude
- [10:14] - The Hope of Heaven
- [12:18] - Eternal Inheritance and Assurance
- [13:11] - Focusing Beyond Present Troubles
- [14:04] - Personal Reflection on Loss and Hope
- [15:25] - Settling the Issue of Eternity
- [16:05] - Ways to Express Gratitude
- [18:06] - Thanksgiving Through Song
- [19:15] - Generosity as Gratitude
- [21:20] - Personal Message to Saddleback Church
- [23:07] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Gratitude in Adversity
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
2. Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."
3. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some of the challenges faced in 2020 that make it difficult for people to feel thankful? [01:04]
2. How does the sermon define the difference between being thankful "for" everything and "in" everything? [03:14]
3. What are the three things mentioned in the sermon that we can always be grateful for, regardless of our circumstances? [04:24]
4. How does the sermon suggest we express our gratitude during Thanksgiving? [16:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to give thanks "in all circumstances" as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and how does this differ from giving thanks "for" all circumstances? [02:37]
2. How does understanding God's grace, as described in Ephesians 2:8, influence our perspective on gratitude during difficult times? [05:13]
3. In what ways does the promise of God's plans for us, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11, provide hope and encouragement during challenging periods? [07:08]
4. How does the hope of heaven, as discussed in the sermon, help believers endure current struggles and maintain a grateful heart? [10:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can you find gratitude "in" that situation, even if you cannot be thankful "for" it? [03:14]
2. Identify a specific blessing in your life that you often take for granted. How can you express gratitude for this blessing in a tangible way this week? [05:40]
3. Consider God's plans for your life. How can you align your daily actions with the hope and future that God promises in Jeremiah 29:11? [07:08]
4. The sermon encourages sharing testimonies as a way to express gratitude. Who can you share your testimony with this week, and what specific story of gratitude will you tell? [16:32]
5. Singing is mentioned as a way to express gratitude. What is one song of thanks you can sing or listen to this week to cultivate a grateful heart? [18:20]
6. Generosity is a form of gratitude. What is one act of generosity you can perform this week to show your thankfulness to God and others? [19:15]
7. Reflect on the hope of heaven. How does this eternal perspective change the way you view your current struggles, and how can you remind yourself of this hope daily? [10:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude Amidst Life's Storms
In the midst of life's challenges, gratitude is not about being thankful for every circumstance but finding thankfulness within every situation. This perspective shift allows us to mature spiritually and emotionally, recognizing that life is a blend of good and bad, and gratitude helps us navigate both. By focusing on gratitude, we can relieve stress, increase happiness, and improve our physical health. It is a powerful tool that helps us see beyond our immediate struggles and appreciate the blessings that often go unnoticed. [03:28]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12 ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you find gratitude in that situation today, and what specific blessings can you acknowledge despite the difficulty?
Day 2: Embracing God's Grace
God's grace is the foundation of our gratitude. Everything good in our lives is a gift from God, a testament to His grace. This grace is not earned but freely given, reminding us that our lives are filled with blessings we often take for granted. Embracing this grace fosters a deep sense of gratitude, as we recognize the forgiveness of our sins and the daily blessings we receive. By focusing on God's grace, we can cultivate a heart of thankfulness that transcends our circumstances. [05:40]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have experienced God's grace. How can you express gratitude for this grace today, and how does it change your perspective on your current situation?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Plans
Even in difficult times, we can trust in God's good plans for our lives. These plans are designed to give us hope and a future, encouraging us to persevere through challenges with the assurance that God is working for our good. Trusting in God's plans requires faith and patience, as we may not always understand His ways. However, by focusing on His promises, we can find peace and confidence in the midst of uncertainty. [07:08]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust God's plans. What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in His promises, and how can this trust transform your outlook on your current challenges?
Day 4: The Hope of Heaven
The promise of heaven provides us with hope beyond our current struggles. This eternal perspective helps us endure life's hardships, knowing that ultimate victory and joy await us in God's presence. By focusing on the hope of heaven, we can find strength and encouragement to persevere through trials, as we are reminded that our present sufferings are temporary. This hope anchors our souls and gives us a reason to rejoice, even in the face of adversity. [10:28]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)
Reflection: Consider how the hope of heaven influences your daily life. How can you keep this eternal perspective at the forefront of your mind, and how does it change the way you approach your current struggles?
Day 5: Expressing Gratitude Through Action
We can express our gratitude through testimonies, singing, and acts of generosity. These expressions not only honor God but also strengthen our relationships and communities, making gratitude a transformative force in our lives. By sharing our gratitude with others, we can inspire and encourage those around us, creating a ripple effect of thankfulness. Let us make gratitude a daily practice, focusing more on giving thanks than on the usual festivities. [16:32]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16 ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can express gratitude today, whether through words, actions, or generosity. How can this act of gratitude impact those around you, and how does it deepen your own sense of thankfulness?
Quotes
"Now even in good times thanksgiving is not an easy holiday for many people. How can you be thankful when your doctor says it's cancer? How can you be grateful when someone you love just walked out of your life? How can you be thankful when you've been fired or your dream has collapsed? Now this year has been the worst year for millions of people. How am I supposed to be thankful this Thanksgiving?" [00:38:56]
"God tells us many many times in the Bible that gratitude, thanksgiving is the healthiest single emotion to human beings. Gratitude and thanksgiving actually relieve stress. Gratitude and thanksgiving increase happiness. Gratitude and thanksgiving increase a sense of peace, raise your spirits and now we know from multiple medical studies that gratitude is actually good for your physical health. It actually increases your immunity." [00:115:92]
"To understand this verse correctly, you have to look closely at it. It doesn't say for everything give thanks, it says in everything give thanks. That's a big difference. To be thankful for everything would be masochism, okay, but to be thankful in everything is maturity. You know, a railroad runs on two rails. It has to have both tracks to move forward and life is a lot like that." [00:197:92]
"Even in bad times, I can always be grateful for the grace that God has shown to me, for the grace that God has shown to me. Let me read you what the Bible says. Ephesians 2:8 says you have been saved by grace through believing. You didn't save yourselves; it was a gift from God. What is grace? It's every gift God has given you." [00:311:03]
"Although life is not always good, God is always good. Although life is not always good, there's a lot of bad in life, God is always good. And I've learned that everything I go through, God sees it, God cares about it, God grieves about the hard things I go through. Do you know the Bible says God weeps?" [00:494:63]
"One of the reasons we can be thankful in bad times, not for bad times but in bad times, is because the promise of Romans 8:28. We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. So I can be grateful for the grace of God in my life and I can be grateful and thankful to God for the good plan he has for my life." [00:585:51]
"I can be thankful for the hope of heaven. This is not the end of the story. We may lose some battles but ultimate victory is ours. The final chapter has yet to be written, and that is eternity with God in a perfect place called heaven. You know, I remember many years ago when Kay and I got engaged, we began preparing a place for us to live." [00:625:68]
"The Bible says eye has not seen an ear has not heard and no one has ever even imagined the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him. It's really indescribable. Think of the most beautiful scenes you've seen on earth: sunset, sunrises, beaches, mountains, and God created this and this world's broken. Think how perfect heaven is going to be." [00:690:95]
"The Bible says God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death and no more mourning, no more crying and no more pain. That's an eternity. Have you settled the issue of eternity yet in your life? Are you certain that when you die you'd go to heaven? On what basis have you based that?" [00:903:83]
"The first way you can give thanks, the first way I can give thanks this Thanksgiving is by telling others what I'm grateful for. Telling others what I'm grateful for. The Bible calls this a testimony, giving a testimony. I want to suggest you give a testimony to somebody to tell somebody what you're grateful for." [00:969:44]
"Second way to give thanks, first talk about it, you know, tell your testimony, tell other people what you're thankful for. Second way to give thanks is by singing. You say Rick I can't sing. Well, the Bible says make a joyful noise. Anybody can do that, okay, just make a joyful noise. You don't have to carry a tune." [00:1088:96]
"The third way that you can express your thanks to God this Thanksgiving is by looking for a way to be generous, giving back to somebody else. You know, thanks and giving go together. That's why we call it Thanksgiving. We give thanks at Thanksgiving by giving. Psalm 116 verse 17 says, I will give you an offering to show my thanks to you." [00:1150:55]
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