Gratitude Isn't Always Easy

I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and a safe and fun NYE.

Everyone is talking about gratitude this time of year. But how do you maintain gratitude when things aren’t going well, especially over an extended period of time? When the hits just keep coming and God doesn’t seem to be answering prayers.

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I’ve been having a tough time with my business. My main income stream got cut off in October and that was a kick in the gut. I’d been building this business back up from dead after COVID and some other challenges and was just about ready to start really growing again when this happened.

I’ve been praying and praying asking God to bless my business and to guide me in the path He has for me. I have surrendered it all up to Him because God’s will is His best, and I want Him to use me to glorify and serve Him. I want His best for me and my family.

When this latest challenge happened this past week, I asked why isn’t God answering my prayers. I struggled with the truth of how He works all things together for my good.

I haven’t always been faithful and run my business in a fiscally sound manner. I took my earnings for granted and made foolish and careless financial decisions in years past.

When challenges like this happen, it can be exceptionally difficult to be grateful. I’ve been struggling with being hopeful and thankful. That’s the main reason I haven’t posted lately.

With the help of my wife and a couple of Christian friends, I’ve gotten my balance back and though my business is still in the toilet so to speak, I’m grateful for these trials because as James 1:2-4 says, these trials produce perseverance and strengthens our faith when we let them.

My hope and prayer for you is that the love and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ makes its way deeper into your consciousness this year and may you share it with others boldly because we are here on this earth for a split second compared to eternity.