Gratefulness For The Pain

Yesterday Duke Matlock shared with us a powerful message on how gratefulness can change our life. Gratefulness, according to psychologytoday.com has seven scientifically proven benefits:

Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
Gratitude improves physical health.
Gratitude improves psychological health.
Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
Grateful people sleep better.
Gratitude improves self-esteem.
Gratitude increases mental strength.
Check it out here.

Why else would Paul say in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."?

In 2 Cor 11:23 - 33 Paul tells us that he has to work harder than they do make a living.
He was whipped for His calling,  put in prison more than they have, faced death more frequently, and been beaten with whips and rods severely.
He was once stoned and left for dead.
He had been shipwrecked three times, and that doesn't count the one on the way to Rome.
He was adrift at sea and had to face other water hazards.
Wherever he went, he was in danger of being robbed.
The Jews wanted him dead and made more than one plan to assassinate him.
Pagans wanted him dead because he would lead pagan worshippers to Christ.
Whole cities ran him and his associates out of town, often painfully.
He had to face danger from those who claimed to be followers of Jesus.
He suffered from exhaustion, weariness from the ministry, hunger, and thirst because people wouldn't help him when he needed it.
He often fasted, voluntarily and involuntarily.
He had a thorn in the flesh, (2 Cor 12:7).
He was abandoned by his friends while in prison (2 Tim. 1:15).
He feared for his life (2 Cor 1:8).

Then he writes, GIVE THANKS.

How can you give thanks in pain?

Some pain leads to health.  Some things that we go through changes the direction of our lives for the better.

Some pain leads to humility.  Pain has a way of bringing us to our knees.  It is in this position of humility that God can lead our lives to new hope.

Some pain leads to life.  The birth of new ideas, new directions in life and new relationships often can be painful.

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, I am grateful for everything that you do in my life.  AMEN