How can I glorify God in the bad times as well as in the good times?
Our connecting point for this week is a tall order!
Enduring illness or tragedy or extreme conflict in life can oftentimes cause us to think that we have somehow done something to deserve “the wrath of God”. We ask ourselves, why do these bad things happen to me? God is not “wrathful” and does not punish us with bad things because of anything we do or don’t do. Life on earth gets really messy and downright difficult at times and we tend to rightly turn to God in prayers of desperation. God wants us to pray in thanksgiving at all times. (Tall order when you are in the thick of things.)
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God wants us to pray in thanksgiving at all times. (Tall order when you are in the thick of things.) Giving thanks in hard times can be very hard to do, but mustering the strength to begin that prayer, even it is in thanksgiving for sharing a small part of the Cross of Jesus in that situation can sometimes have an effect on changing my heart or my outlook. Turning to God in a prayer of thanksgiving at any time can give us hope amidst the storm.
Verses to a song I recently wrote came to mind as I write this reflection:
Be Still and Know
In times of struggle, (Be still and know)…….when burden binds you; (Be still and know.)
My yoke is easy and my burden, light. (Be still and know that I am God).
In times of sorrow, (Be still and know)…….…….despair and sadness, (Be still and know.)
I will hold you close in my embrace. (Be still and know that I am God).
In times of darkness, (Be still and know)…….……. In times of searching (Be still and know.)
I will guide you into safety harbor. (Be still and know that I am God).
