Thankful Heart

Thanking God during a stormy season of life is not the first thing that comes to our minds.
Most of the time, when things go wrong, we run from God
Or blame Him for the troubles in our lives

It's not easy to be thankful
When you lost a loved one
When there is a new diagnosis of cancer in your family
When your heart is broken into pieces
When your dream job doesn't work out

I am not the best at being thankful during hard times
Actually its probably one of the last things I have done, if I did it at all.

Something really spoke to my heart in the book I have been reading lately, Classic Christianity.
So I wanted to share it with you or anyone who is struggling with faith, life, God's will for them...

"The essence of a life of faith is a thankful heart... 1 Thessalonians 5:18 'Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.' Why would God tell us to give thanks in all circumstances, even in bad ones? because giving thanks is a concrete expression of our faith in God- that our lives are in His hands, and that we are trusting Him to fulfill His promise in 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.' The result of trusting God with our lives and expressing that faith through giving thanks is a freedom and peace that is supernatural:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7."  - Classic Christianity, p 164 

It doesn't always make sense
Why God's plans for us
hurt our hearts 
cause fear in us
make us turn our backs
but maybe if we truly try to be thankful for all circumstances
we will feel the comfort of the Lord around us.

This part of the book revealed to me,
even though I am hurting, struggling, disappointed or happy, grateful, content
I need to be thankful because God is protecting my heart
He is working all circumstances to the best plan for me.

Good and Bad.