One of the dear people that our ministry helped in the past shared this great news in the past few days:
“I surpassed 1,000 items today.”
While receiving help from our ministry in the midst of some significant life struggles and suffering, this person was asked to add between one and three items per day to a “Gratitude List.” The Gratitude List is a list of items the counselee creates where he or she adds one to three items per day for which he or she is thankful. Each new item must not have been used before. On regular occasions, the counselee reviews these items to help build a greater foundation of gratitude for life (all the details below).
This particular person (whose name was kept from me by our counseling team), who was in significant suffering and suffering, has continued adding to this list day after day over time. He or she reviews it, adds to it, and then uses it to help be specifically reminded of those things from God in life for which he or she is grateful.
Is this person grateful? 1,000 Times Yes!
Consider Why This Is Important…
In Psalm 119, the psalmist discusses the issue of gratitude even in the midst of deep suffering.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies I have taken as a [s]heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end. (Psalm 119:105-112)
He reports, “I am afflicted very much;” “My life is continually in my hand;” and “The wicked have laid a snare for me.” All three statements confer deep and significant suffering.
In the midst of this suffering, the psalmist articulates two goals: that God’s Word would light his path every day (vv. 105-106) and the hope that God would accept his praise as a freewill offering even in the midst of this deep suffering (v. 108).
The influence? God’s Word
The offering? The psalmist’s praise / gratitude / thankfulness.
As We Seek to Walk in the Spirit…
Paul explains when we walk in the Spirit, your walk in the Spirit produces gratitude (Eph 5:15-21).
“Giving thanks always for all things.”
Walking in the Spirit produces gratitude.
When in the midst of deep and significant suffering, our gratitude needs a strong voice. The creation of a Gratitude List helps strengthen that voice.
How It Works…
- Begin to create a gratitude list – something for which you are grateful. Could be anything at all.
- Add one to three new items per day, items not already on the list.
- Review your list by praying through it as you read. Reflect on those things for which you are grateful.
- Include a “Gospel” section as well. Write down key Bible verses and your meditations from those truths related to the Gospel.
- Further, include other verses that speak truth related to living in the midst of suffering.
Pray through this list regularly. As you do, the Word of God becomes a light to your path plus you give a freewill offering of your words to God even in the midst of deep and significant suffering. This both honors God and provides you a stronger voice of gratitude.
In the process, ask God to grant you the faith to praise Him even in the midst of your deep struggles (Ps 119:108-109).
May God receive the glory as we seek to build a rich foundation of truth from which our voice can speak the offering of gratitude.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together