A Grateful Heart
When we go through trials and tribulations in life, being grateful is often the farthest thing from our minds. But I challenge you today to look at the valleys of life from a new perspective. First, let us pray and invite God into our hearts, minds, and situations:
Heavenly Father, You are so good to me. I don't have to look very far to see evidence of Your goodness in my life. Even in the midst of hard situations, You show Yourself faithful, ever-present, and trustworthy. With a grateful heart, thank You, God, for saving me over and over and over. In Jesus's precious and powerful name, amen.
Psalm 18:30-50 (NLT)
30 God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
32 God arms me with strength,
and he makes my way perfect.
33 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
35 You have given me your shield of victory.
Your right hand supports me;
your help has made me great.
36 You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.
37 I chased my enemies and caught them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.
38 I struck them down so they could not get up;
they fell beneath my feet.
39 You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
40 You placed my foot on their necks.
I have destroyed all who hated me.
41 They called for help, but no one came to their rescue.
They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.
42 I ground them as fine as dust in the wind.
I swept them into the gutter like dirt.
43 You gave me victory over my accusers.
You appointed me ruler over nations;
people I don’t even know now serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me, they submit;
foreign nations cringe before me.
45 They all lose their courage
and come trembling from their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May the God of my salvation be exalted!
47 He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he subdues the nations under me
48 and rescues me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.
49 For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
50 You give great victories to your king;
you show unfailing love to your anointed,
to David and all his descendants forever.
We will all go through valleys in life, and many times, we make it a million times worse with how we handle those valleys. I always say it's not the “what” but the “how” that makes all the difference. The question is not "what" battle are you facing but instead, "how" are you handling it? Are you negative, angry, complaining, grumbling, gripped with fear and distress? Looking to face your battles with your own power?
That seems to be the default attitude many of us find ourselves in when things aren't going our way. What if instead of focusing on what's going wrong, you get curious about what God’s doing and get radically grateful?
Going through a cancer diagnosis, with the ups and downs, the treatment, the waiting, the next scan, the next treatment, reaching a peak to find another valley…whatever battle you are facing, I can tell you this: each valley you go through deepens your relationship with God. I have never been closer to God than I am right now. I have witnessed His miracles, His faithfulness, and so many victories while walking through this valley with Him. And I can't wait to witness this test turn into a beautiful testimony of His glory! I would never trade this experience for anything.
This valley has transformed me and my family; what an honor to rely on, trust, and believe in our God with all of our hearts! To depend on Him for our very lives and to watch in awe of His deliverance, His love, and answered prayers. Even in the middle of the valley, His very presence is a miracle, how He communicates with us is a miracle, and how he brings healing is just as equally a miracle. We don’t need to know what, when, or how, just that He IS; His way is perfect and His word is flawless. How humble we should be to even be worthy to witness, let alone be loved, protected, and provided for by our living, miracle-working God! Are you praising God in the valleys of life? Do you rely on Him to guide you and show you the beauty of the valleys, as well as the peaks?
God has a reason for everything you are going through right now. The valleys refine you, purify you, teach you, and change you...but you have to surrender to Him and His plan and just be in awe of the work He is doing in you with a truly grateful heart. He is perfect: His ways, His plan, His timing are all perfect. Trust Him. His ways are higher. He will give you great victories and show you unfailing love through it all. The valleys can be exquisitely beautiful with God as your tour guide.
Heavenly Father, teach me to have a grateful heart always, in the peaks and the valleys of life…
Help me remember that with You, I am a victor, not a victim…
Thank Him today for EVERYTHING that you are going through and feel gratitude in the depths of your heart for Him, who loves you beyond measure!
Heavenly Father, You are so good to me. I don't have to look very far to see evidence of Your goodness in my life. Even in the midst of hard situations, You show Yourself faithful, ever-present, and trustworthy. With a grateful heart, thank You, God, for saving me over and over and over. In Jesus's precious and powerful name, amen.
Psalm 18:30-50 (NLT)
30 God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
32 God arms me with strength,
and he makes my way perfect.
33 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
35 You have given me your shield of victory.
Your right hand supports me;
your help has made me great.
36 You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.
37 I chased my enemies and caught them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.
38 I struck them down so they could not get up;
they fell beneath my feet.
39 You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
40 You placed my foot on their necks.
I have destroyed all who hated me.
41 They called for help, but no one came to their rescue.
They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.
42 I ground them as fine as dust in the wind.
I swept them into the gutter like dirt.
43 You gave me victory over my accusers.
You appointed me ruler over nations;
people I don’t even know now serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me, they submit;
foreign nations cringe before me.
45 They all lose their courage
and come trembling from their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May the God of my salvation be exalted!
47 He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he subdues the nations under me
48 and rescues me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.
49 For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
50 You give great victories to your king;
you show unfailing love to your anointed,
to David and all his descendants forever.
We will all go through valleys in life, and many times, we make it a million times worse with how we handle those valleys. I always say it's not the “what” but the “how” that makes all the difference. The question is not "what" battle are you facing but instead, "how" are you handling it? Are you negative, angry, complaining, grumbling, gripped with fear and distress? Looking to face your battles with your own power?
That seems to be the default attitude many of us find ourselves in when things aren't going our way. What if instead of focusing on what's going wrong, you get curious about what God’s doing and get radically grateful?
Going through a cancer diagnosis, with the ups and downs, the treatment, the waiting, the next scan, the next treatment, reaching a peak to find another valley…whatever battle you are facing, I can tell you this: each valley you go through deepens your relationship with God. I have never been closer to God than I am right now. I have witnessed His miracles, His faithfulness, and so many victories while walking through this valley with Him. And I can't wait to witness this test turn into a beautiful testimony of His glory! I would never trade this experience for anything.
This valley has transformed me and my family; what an honor to rely on, trust, and believe in our God with all of our hearts! To depend on Him for our very lives and to watch in awe of His deliverance, His love, and answered prayers. Even in the middle of the valley, His very presence is a miracle, how He communicates with us is a miracle, and how he brings healing is just as equally a miracle. We don’t need to know what, when, or how, just that He IS; His way is perfect and His word is flawless. How humble we should be to even be worthy to witness, let alone be loved, protected, and provided for by our living, miracle-working God! Are you praising God in the valleys of life? Do you rely on Him to guide you and show you the beauty of the valleys, as well as the peaks?
God has a reason for everything you are going through right now. The valleys refine you, purify you, teach you, and change you...but you have to surrender to Him and His plan and just be in awe of the work He is doing in you with a truly grateful heart. He is perfect: His ways, His plan, His timing are all perfect. Trust Him. His ways are higher. He will give you great victories and show you unfailing love through it all. The valleys can be exquisitely beautiful with God as your tour guide.
Heavenly Father, teach me to have a grateful heart always, in the peaks and the valleys of life…
Help me remember that with You, I am a victor, not a victim…
Thank Him today for EVERYTHING that you are going through and feel gratitude in the depths of your heart for Him, who loves you beyond measure!
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1 Comment
Great read Dave!