Finding Gratitude in Life's Challenges

Before we dive in though today, as always, I got a question I want to ask you. Does anyone here, do you have maybe a moment in your life that you can look back on and you can say straight up, like, that was my low moment? Anybody? Does that make sense? Do you have maybe like a time period or maybe even like one particular event in particular that in hindsight you can say, that was the lowest I have ever been. That was my proverbial rock bottom. Anybody have a moment like that? And when me and Allie, when we first got married, we were actually living up in Mesa. [00:00:26] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


So for the series that we're in right now, it's my goal that as we enter this Thanksgiving season, that we can dive into God's word and we can see how as we practice a godly gratitude in our lives, I believe it can absolutely change everything. It might not actually change our circumstances, but changing our perspectives can change everything about our lives. [00:09:17] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


And fun fact about this book, the book of Philippians, it's actually commonly known to many in faith circles like this as the letter of joy. The letter of joy. In this letter, Paul, he talks about the topic on five separate times within in four chapters. In it, he also uses the word rejoice a total of seven times. In fact, within the first couple verses of the book, after introducing himself, he tells us this in verses three through six. He says, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. [00:11:58] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


But despite all that he was going through, despite the fact that he was in literal chains, that he could lose his very life any day now, he writes this letter of joy. Why? Because despite everything, Paul was still grateful. He was grateful. He says why in verses 12 through 14. He says, Now I want you to know, brothers, and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually... served to advance the gospel. [00:14:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


Even though Paul's in prison, right, he still feels thankful. He still feels gratitude. And it's because to Paul, even though he was in a pretty objectively terrible situation, we're not arguing that, but he still knew that bad things can turn into good things. That good things can still happen in bad situations. And he still knew that good things can still happen in bad situations. And he still knew that good things can still happen in bad situations. And to Paul, again, even though he was in literal chains, he knew that God could still take this situation and do something good with it. That God could still do something awesome for him, even if he was a prisoner. [00:15:40] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


But a conclusion I've come to in light of everything happening across our world today, I think if we can view our lives like Paul, as this opportunity to honor God, as this opportunity to share the good news of Jesus, if we can see life like Paul did, then it doesn't really matter what happens in this life, as long as you continue following that purpose. [00:18:37] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


When we focus on things like, I don't like helping and loving others, I think it begins to put things into a little bit more perspective. And it lets us begin to notice the beauty that comes from everyday life. Even in moments that hurt. even in moments that aren't good, even in moments that leave us disappointed. [00:19:35] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


And just like Paul, I think Chuck was faced with a choice. Because he could have been bitter, right? He could have been angry. He could have thought things like, man, I'm so stupid. Why did I make that choice? He could have beat himself up. He could have thought that things were unfair and unjust and that there was no point to anything. Or he could be grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to be used by God, even in the midst of this awful circumstance. [00:22:56] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


We can either become angry and bitter and disheartened, or we can look at whatever bad is in front of us as a chance for God's good to shine through it. We can rejoice in any opportunity to be closer to God and to speak to God. Spread his gospel. [00:24:08] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


Honestly, that's exactly, if I'm being real, that's exactly what happened in mine in Alley's Rock Bottom that I talked about earlier. During this rough time in our lives, I started attending this church, which I eventually began to serve at. I started to pursue God more and started sharing his gospel and ministering to his people. And to make an incredibly long story short, this church, which was called Safford First Assembly, [00:25:33] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


So as we close our services today, my challenge for you is this. I'm landing the plane, I promise. Regardless of what's going on in your life, whether you're in a good season or maybe a bad season, I don't know. But regardless of what is going on in your life, I urge you to start looking for ways that God can bring good out of the situation. [00:26:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)