When You Don’t Feel Grateful, November 22
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Niki Hardy
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Despite Thanksgiving’s Hallmark sentiments and overstuffed turkeys, sometimes we just can’t summon the energy, let alone the desire, to be thankful when life’s left us overwhelmed, exhausted, and frightened of what’s to come. So what are we to do?
A few days before Thanksgiving, as I was working to get back in shape after my cancer treatment and all my abdominal surgeries, I forced myself to go to an exercise class. As I laid out my mat, I realized my old friends Grumpy and Sleepy and their cousin Resentful had tagged along for the workout.
When my fitness instructor, Kelli, encouraged us to name something we’re grateful for with each leg lift, I followed her lead despite my dark mood. Surprisingly, by the end, it wasn’t just my butt that had lifted. I really did feel better, lighter somehow.
We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.” God wants us to give thanks in all things, not because He’s a tyrant checking our manners, but because it’s His will for us—and His will for us and our lives is always good. More than anything else, this verse is an invitation to be encouraged.
I want to share five key things cancer (and Kelli) have taught me about being grateful when I’m not.
1) Just do it.
If we wait to feel thankful before giving thanks, we may never utter another word of thanksgiving. Yet, when we start by stepping into gratitude as an act of obedience, we can be confident our emotions will catch up.
2) Start with what’s right in front of you.
At first, I struggled to think of something I was grateful for. Then I thanked God that at that moment I was healthy enough to work out, I was warm and dry, and had a family who loved me. Slowly the negative emotions blinding me to the goodness of my life began to melt away.
3) When we give thanks in the battle, we discover the beauty.
We’re told to give thanks in all things, with God’s strength. The greatest gift of gratitude is that we unearth true, priceless treasures when we gratefully examine the broken up, crumbled rubble of life.
4) Ask for God’s help.
God doesn’t ask us to do anything that He won’t give us the strength to accomplish, including giving thanks. So, let’s ask for His Spirit and His power to help us give thanks when we’d rather do anything but.
5) Finally, rinse and repeat.
A life full of gratitude is a life that’s full and abundant. So, dear friend, wherever you’re at today, I encourage you to give thanks in all things. With His help, begin with what’s in front of you and give thanks in the battle, until you begin to discover the beauty. Then rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat.
Pray: Lord, I want to celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy this holiday, but sometimes it’s hard. Today I choose to trust that Your will for me is good. Give me eyes and strength to see the things in front of me that I can thank You for. Lift my heart by Your Spirit so I may know Your joy. In Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen.
Your Turn: As you contemplate Thanksgiving—both the holiday and the spiritual discipline—take a moment to answer these questions, and to give thanks for the answers:
What good things are you grateful for today?
What hard thing has been a battle but has started to reveal the beauty buried within?
Niki Hardy, Family Member and Cancer Survivor
Niki is a British author, speaker, podcast host, and cancer thriver. Through her books Breathe Again: How to Live Well When Life Falls Apart and One Minute Prayers for Women with Cancer, and her free Trusting God Through Cancer Summit and Chemo Chair Prayers podcast, she helps people discover that life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full, then to go live it. Download her FREE book bundle or find other resources at nikihardy.com.
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