FAITH: Thanking God for the Bad

Faith: Thanking God for the bad things that happen in our lives.

Every bit of encouragement from God's word today has been on one topic: God's enduring faithfulness. It all started after reading a not-so-nice email when the next message that popped into my inbox had this message:

Psalm 42:5 "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Then, after doing a few errands (I've become so productive!) I had a teensy tiny lil breakdown and decided to work out my frustrations in the torture chamber they call Hot Yoga. It felt great.... afterwards BUT I needed my peace renewed.

Step in Daystar. The Christian television programming station armed with the Hal Lindsey Report. Scripture saturated with a special message tailored for---- those going through something hard having a responsibility to praise God within their circumstances aka me.

The show stated that to have any other response other than thanking God for enacting His perfect plan (even when that plan includes hard circumstances) comes from a position of thinking we know better than God. (i.e. arrogance and pride) Why would we, mere humans, think we had anything to "help" God out with His decisions.

Isaiah 40:13-14 "Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge, or showed Him the path of understanding?"

Need scripture to prove that we should thank God for our circumstances? Look no further than these clearly written scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 5:15-20 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The greatest expression of belief in God is praising Him through our tough circumstances. Conversely, the greatest expression of our unbelief in our Lord Jesus Christ is griping about our circumstances. (http://www.hallindsey.com/ the 1/6/2012 report)

Especially when in God tells us absolutely:

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Whew! That was a hard pull on the reins for me. God does not want me to continue dwelling on the hard things (like being dumped) and talking about it with others. He simply wants me to trust him like Abraham, the father of our faith.

Hopefully this will help someone out there. Also I've found Steve Curtis Chapman's song "Help is on the Way" to be helpful. Nothing like that old gospel choir sound to put you in a good mood. ---Oh! and today is choir appreciation day. ;) Enjoy!