Gratitude in the Midst of Suffering

 

Summary

In today's exploration of gratitude, we delve into the profound challenge of maintaining a grateful heart amidst life's darkest moments. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5, we are reminded to "give thanks in all circumstances," not because every situation is inherently good, but because gratitude is a posture of the heart that transcends our circumstances. This is not about being thankful for every hardship but finding a way to be grateful within them. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, profoundly noted that those who have emerged from the "kingdom of the night" are uniquely capable of gratitude. This kingdom represents the depths of human suffering and confusion, a place where even Jesus felt forsaken.

The Jewish tradition, rich with blessings for every occasion, notably lacks a blessing for martyrs, emphasizing the perpetual hope for divine intervention. Our gratitude, therefore, is not naive or sentimental; it acknowledges the harsh realities of life while clinging to hope. Gratitude, if it is to be genuine, must coexist with suffering and brokenness. Jean Vanier, founder of a community for people with disabilities, speaks to this by suggesting that recognizing our brokenness can lead to a deeper understanding of our beauty and the sacredness of others.

John Hull, who experienced blindness, described it as a paradoxical gift, a painful purging that brought him closer to God. This acceptance of suffering as a gift is not about wishing it upon others but finding God’s presence in the midst of it. The journey of gratitude is not about the goodness of life but about God's presence in our pain. It is in these broken places that we encounter God, where light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

As we reflect on our lives, we are encouraged to remember our worst moments and recognize how we have grown through them. These experiences, though painful, often lead to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for life’s true blessings. In the end, gratitude infuses our brokenness with meaning, reminding us that even in the kingdom of the night, God is working for good.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gratitude is not about being thankful for every circumstance but finding a way to be grateful within them. This posture of the heart transcends our situations and aligns with God's will for us to be grateful people. [00:30]

2. The absence of a blessing for martyrs in Judaism highlights the importance of never abandoning hope, even in the darkest times. Our gratitude acknowledges life's harsh realities while maintaining hope for divine intervention. [02:22]

3. Recognizing our brokenness can lead to a deeper understanding of our beauty and the sacredness of others. This discovery is a moment of grace, revealing that we and those who hurt us are beloved by God. [04:13]

4. Accepting suffering as a paradoxical gift can bring us closer to God. This acceptance is not about wishing suffering upon others but finding God's presence in the midst of our pain. [05:18]

5. Reflecting on our worst moments can reveal personal growth and a deeper appreciation for life's true blessings. Gratitude infuses our brokenness with meaning, reminding us that God is working for good even in the kingdom of the night. [09:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Gratitude in Brokenness
- [00:30] - Rejoice and Give Thanks
- [00:45] - Elie Wiesel's Insight
- [01:05] - The Kingdom of the Night
- [01:22] - Series Conclusion
- [01:41] - Learning from Judaism
- [02:08] - Blessing and Hope
- [02:43] - Gratitude Beyond Circumstances
- [03:11] - Brokenness and Beauty
- [04:32] - John Hull's Experience
- [05:18] - Accepting the Gift
- [06:26] - God's Presence in Pain
- [07:26] - Remembering the Bad
- [08:30] - Growth Through Hardship
- [09:50] - Light in the Darkness
- [10:41] - Closing and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Gratitude in Brokenness

Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
- Psalm 22:1: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
- John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 suggest about the nature of gratitude in a believer's life? How does this align with the sermon’s message about gratitude transcending circumstances? [00:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the "kingdom of the night," and what significance does it hold in understanding gratitude? [01:05]
3. In what way does the absence of a blessing for martyrs in Judaism highlight the importance of hope, according to the sermon? [02:22]
4. How does John Hull's experience with blindness illustrate the concept of suffering as a paradoxical gift? [05:18]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Paul's instruction to "give thanks in all circumstances" challenge common perceptions of gratitude? What does this imply about the relationship between gratitude and suffering? [00:30]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of hope in maintaining gratitude during difficult times? How does this relate to the Jewish tradition mentioned? [02:22]
3. How does recognizing our brokenness lead to a deeper understanding of our beauty and the sacredness of others, as discussed in the sermon? [04:13]
4. In what ways does the sermon propose that encountering God in our brokenness can transform our understanding of suffering? [06:26]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you find gratitude within that experience, and how did it affect your perspective? [09:50]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of hope even in the darkest times. How can you cultivate hope in your life when facing challenges? [02:22]
3. Consider someone in your life who has hurt you. How might recognizing their sacredness and beauty change your relationship with them? [04:13]
4. How can you practice finding God's presence in your current struggles or pain? What steps can you take to become more aware of His presence? [06:26]
5. Think about a past hardship that led to personal growth. What specific lessons or strengths did you gain from that experience, and how can you apply them to current challenges? [08:30]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of gratitude into your daily routine, especially during times of difficulty? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of God's presence in your life? [09:50]
7. The sermon suggests that gratitude infuses brokenness with meaning. How can you find meaning in your current struggles, and how might this change your outlook on life? [09:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude Beyond Circumstances
Gratitude is a profound posture of the heart that transcends our circumstances. It is not about being thankful for every hardship but finding a way to be grateful within them. This perspective aligns with the teaching from 1 Thessalonians 5, which encourages believers to "give thanks in all circumstances." The essence of this gratitude is not rooted in the inherent goodness of every situation but in the recognition of God's presence and purpose in our lives, regardless of the challenges we face. By adopting this mindset, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His transformative work. [00:30]

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:4-6, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you find a way to express gratitude within this situation today?


Day 2: Hope Amidst Darkness
The absence of a blessing for martyrs in Jewish tradition highlights the importance of never abandoning hope, even in the darkest times. This perspective acknowledges the harsh realities of life while maintaining a hopeful expectation for divine intervention. Gratitude, in this context, is not naive or sentimental; it is a courageous act of faith that trusts in God's ultimate goodness and sovereignty. By holding onto hope, we affirm that God is at work, even when circumstances seem bleak. [02:22]

"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: In what area of your life do you feel tempted to lose hope? How can you actively choose to hold onto hope and gratitude today?


Day 3: Beauty in Brokenness
Recognizing our brokenness can lead to a deeper understanding of our beauty and the sacredness of others. This discovery is a moment of grace, revealing that we and those who hurt us are beloved by God. By embracing our imperfections, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love, which can bring healing and restoration. This perspective invites us to see ourselves and others through the lens of grace, acknowledging that our brokenness is not the end of the story but a pathway to deeper connection and understanding. [04:13]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt broken. How did this experience reveal something beautiful about yourself or others?


Day 4: God's Presence in Suffering
Accepting suffering as a paradoxical gift can bring us closer to God. This acceptance is not about wishing suffering upon others but finding God's presence in the midst of our pain. By embracing this perspective, we acknowledge that suffering can be a means of spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God. It is in these moments of vulnerability that we often encounter God's love and grace in profound ways, experiencing His comfort and strength. [05:18]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite God into your current struggles and seek His presence in your pain today?


Day 5: Growth Through Hardship
Reflecting on our worst moments can reveal personal growth and a deeper appreciation for life's true blessings. Gratitude infuses our brokenness with meaning, reminding us that God is working for good even in the kingdom of the night. By looking back on our challenges, we can see how they have shaped us and led to greater resilience and understanding. This perspective encourages us to trust in God's redemptive work, knowing that He is able to bring beauty from ashes and light from darkness. [09:50]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a difficult season in your life. How has God used that experience to bring about growth and blessing in your life?

Quotes

"Paul was writing the church at uh thessalonica chapter 5 1 Thessalonians and he said uh Rejoice uh always pray without ceasing and then give thanks in everything for this is God's will for you and the idea is not give thanks for all circumstances but give thanks in all circumstances because circumstances may not be God's will for you but that you be a grateful person that's what God wants for you and me." [00:16:00]

"Ellie viel the great writer survivor of the Holocaust humanitarian wrote no one is as capable of gratitude as the one who has emerged from the kingdom of the night and the kingdom of the night of course is that place of human suffering and Brokenness and confusion of Darkness the place where it seems God is not the place where Jesus himself cried out my God my God why have you forsaken me and everybody will spend some time in the Kingdom of the night." [00:48:76]

"Elie Vel said the one prayer of blessing that we do not have in Judaism is a blessing for a martyr and he said the reason for this is we are to never abandon hope always to believe that God May yet intervene and so our gratitude um is not frothy or sentimental it doesn't assume that circumstances will work out the way that we want them to we find God hanging on a cross even in the Kingdom of the night." [01:42:68]

"Jean V he was uh the head of a community for people with disabilities of various sorts and talks about about how gratitude and flourishing are uh congruent with deep suffering and Brokenness he said we can only accept the pain in our lives if we discover our true self beneath all the masks and realize that if we are broken we are also more beautiful than we ever dared to expect when we realize our Brokenness we do not have to fall into depression seeing our own Brokenness and Beauty allows us to recognize hidden under the Brokenness and self-centeredness of others their beauty their value their sacredness." [02:05:95]

"John Hall who in the grip of a disease descended into blindness and uh he writes for some time his aversion to it and the suffering that it caused him but then he writes about a spiritual experience he had while listening to music in a church an encounter with God the thought kept coming back to me he writes could there be a strange way in which blindness is a dark paradoxical gift does it offer a way of life a purification is it really like a kind of painful purging through a death if blindness is a gift it's not one that I would wish on anybody but as the whole place and my mind were filled with that wonderful music I found myself saying I accept the gift I accept the gift." [02:75:96]

"I was filled with a profound sense of worship I felt that I was in the very presence of God that The Giver of the gift had drawn near me to inspect his handiwork if I hardly dared approached him he hardly dared approach me he had as it were thrown his cloak of Darkness around me from a distance but had now drawn near to seek a kind of reassurance for me that everything was all right that he had not misjudged the situation that he did not have to say it's all right I was saying to him there's no need to wait you can go on everything's fine I accept the gift I accept the gift and I have found one of the deepest uh experiences of gratitude going through this journey of the Gratitude challenge uh to come uh not when I think about how good my life is but when I think precisely about God's presence right in the midst of pain that I cannot make go away." [03:28:08]

"Think of your worst moments your Sorrows your losses your sadness and then remember focus on how you got through the worst day of your life the trauma the trial you endured the Temptation you survived the bad relationship you're making your way out of the dark remember the bad things then look to see where you are now sometimes even when bad things happen they can ultimately have positive consequences things that we cannot be grateful for so choose an experience from your life that was initially unpleasant unwanted try now to focus on the positive aspects or Consequences of this difficult experience as the result of this event what kinds of things do you now feel thankful or grateful for has it benefited you as a person how have you grown were there personal strengths that grew out of your experience how has the event made you better able to meet the challenges of the future." [07:63:28]

"None of this diminishes the pain or makes the world or me any less broken but it infuses them with meaning because somehow it's in the broken places that I find God it is at the cross in the Kingdom of the night where we meet him and we discover the dark Ness cannot extinguish the light the light has come in the world and the Darkness cannot put it out so we thank him today in all circumstances even that in the Brokenness in the bad circumstances God is working for good it is true it is still true in the Kingdom of the night like that little crow is is calling out we have so much to be grateful for." [09:71:48]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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