Both. And. Acknowledging Thanksgiving & Pain Simultaneously

Did you know that thanksgiving and pain can be present at the same time?

Both. And.

As I look back on the painful and difficult circumstances of my life, I am aware of God in the midst.

The God who sees me.

The God who redeems the broken and the painful things.

The God, who brings newness of life to death.

He is the God of hope.

I am thankful for how God is using the stories and difficult circumstances in my life for His glory. I am also able to be honest about the reality of life—The brokenness, the painful circumstances.

Both. And.

They can both be present at the same time (thankfulness & pain/hurt).

I am reminded of the Psalms when I consider this idea of being thankful and acknowledging pain/hurt at the same time.

David and the other psalmists did not shy away from acknowledging the reality in their world. The brokenness in their life. The sins in their heart. The struggles they faced or sins they committed.

They shared about the struggles, the pain, the brokenness.

And in the same writing, with the same voice they then turned and rejoiced and worshiped God, for who he is. They would repent of any sin in their life also.

They didn’t shy away from the truth of who God is— how He can be trusted and relied upon, and at the very same time they themselves be going through great difficulties.

It is a beautiful example to us on how to respond in our own difficult and painful life circumstances.

To not be in denial. To not ignore.

But to identify what is going on, truly. Actually. To give voice to the reality of life situations & to also respond and enter into worship & thanksgiving, for who God is.

To acknowledge how he can be trusted and leaned into in the darkest of storms.

God wants our transparency, our honesty, and our humble submission and acceptance of the knowledge that He cares for us in the deepest most wonderful ways through that pain, through that struggle, through that reality of our life.

And so I ask, what reality in your life are you walking through and feeling alone in? In what way can you turn your eyes upon God and trust Him in it? He already knows your struggles and cares about you deeply.

I pray you are blessed in this knowledge today. Enjoy reading through the psalms and see what I’m talking about.

If you want to go further, try writing your own prayer out identifying the struggles you face and focusing on the truths about God and His character and His promises.

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Be blessed today friends!