Becoming More: In my Struggles

What does that look like?

There are two big things I learned throughout this past week of lessons.

1. I must praise God with thanksgiving - despite my circumstance. No, that doesn’t mean I walk around saying “Praise God for this car wreck! Praise God for this disease!” I’m not talking about fake praise. That is what makes Christians look crazy. I’m talking about real, genuine praise of God – not our circumstance: “God, circumstances change, but I praise You because You never do. God, I praise You for never leaving me. I praise You that You are with me in this moment and You stand in my tomorrow, as well.” And … what happens when we are thankful?

2. Thanksgiving moves the heart of God.

Let’s take Daniel, for instance. Everyone knows the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. You probably had a felt board with the pictures of it at every Sunday school you ever attended. I know I did. But usually we jump from Daniel disobeying the king/obeying God to being thrown in the lion’s den (because the “point” of the story is that God protects those who obey Him). But is that the point? I think we miss a huge part of the story if we gaze past one key part. Daniel was arrested for praying to God when he knew he wasn’t allowed to, and it would get him into trouble. Still he prayed … but WHAT did he pray? It says:

"10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

Did you catch that? Giving thanks to God, JUST AS HE HAD DONE BEFORE! Even though his circumstance changed, he remained thankful and praised God.

Maybe you are more a fan of Jonah. I can work with that. Jonah was in the belly of a fish for disobeying God. This wasn’t like a fish condo. It was an intestine – full of digested food … Still Jonah prayed to God … but WHAT did he pray? It says:

"9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."

With a song of thanksgiving! His circumstance definitely changed, but he remained thankful and praised God. Then God had him vomited out of the fish. Talk about moving the heart of God.

When the struggles come, I want God to intervene. I want Him to block my natural response/reaction. I want to praise Him and be thankful – DESPITE my circumstance at the moment - and watch as God's heart is moved.