Being thankful can be difficult in good times.
Add in times of struggle, moments of challenge and the stresses of every day life and being thankful can be even more difficult.
But what about when God asks us to be thankful FOR the struggles, challenges and stresses?
“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18
What if He is using these uncomfortable circumstances for something good in our lives?
Charles Spurgeon once said,
I’ve been thinking about this quote.
Kiss the waves
Being thankful for the waves
Remembering that the waves, the struggles of life throw us against the Rock of Ages.
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2
The waves can be annoyances, frustrations, problems or challenging circumstances.
The waves can be your washer breaking, getting rear-ended while driving to the park, your kids not getting along, your day not going as planned, a miscommunication in marriage, an unexpected expense, a problem with a friend.
These are waves that either throw us into a spin of emotions or they can cause us to let go into the safety of the Rock of Ages.
These are waves that teach, grow, and clean our hearts.
Waves that break through selfishness, pride, anger and hurt.
Waves that produce health when they are tended by Him.
Waves that allow us to hear His voice and speak words of life.
Waves that give us a choice of how we will respond and where we will turn.
Kiss the waves
Lessons in being thankful.
Lessons taught by motherhood, marriage, friendship, family and being in ministry.
Daily, practical lessons of clinging to the Rock of Ages.
In the past few years, I’ve learned more about being thankful for the waves.
A wave of sickness.
A wave that makes me unsure of myself and frustrated with my limitations.
I used to power through anything. No sleep, busy schedule… no matter what, I could keep going.
Now, in our lives overseas, I have to think of things like “How am I going to carry what I need for the day without my arm going weak?” or “Am I going to be able to walk all day?” or “How am I going to stay out in the heat?”
Things I never used to think about. Things that never would have crossed my mind.
“Of course I can do those things!” would have been my reply.
Not anymore.
The waves that cause me to realize my weakness, my frailty, my vulnerabilities.
The waves that cause me to realize that I really can’t do much in my own strength.
The waves that cause me to rely on the Rock.
So, I kiss the waves.
Being thankful for the waves.
Being thankful for everyday frustrations and limitations that cause me to run to Him on a daily basis.
Being thankful for the big, life-changing waves that cause me to learn complete dependence on my Rock.
Are you thankful for the waves?
Travel Journal Ideas for KIDS! With Printable Pages
Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries
August 8, 2012 at 11:21 amI love this post…with all my love! A thousand yeses to every word. What an amazing quote by Charles Spurgeon…and perfect applications in your post, my friend. Continued prayers for you, beautiful Jenilee.
The Mueller's
August 1, 2012 at 9:42 pmGreat post – the first thing I thought of when reading about using a roller bag though was that Dara Torres (Olympic swimmer) used a roller bag! So don’t feel dorky using a roller bag, feel like an Olympian! 🙂
AmyS
August 1, 2012 at 1:29 pmYes, I’m thankful for the waves. I’m inviting His waves. I have been procrastinating on getting things done around the house. I keep finding “other” things to do b/c I’m uncertain of what I need or should do to get ready for our first year of homeschooling. This morning, Tom and I prayed asked for direction. And your post has help me realize, again, that it’s ok to know and feel that I can’t do it on my own. So I turn, again, to my Rock today and invite his waves knowing that he will steer me and place me where I need to be. Thank you and God Bless.