Hope in the Hard

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing,” my husband quoted Psalm 23 as he dragged his tired body off the mattress. Up in the middle of the night for the third time to care for our sick son, he whispered as he trudged across the carpet to the mat on the floor, “he makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” 

Unable to move, burdened by exhaustion, I prayed into the darkness as my husband, unaware I had heard him, tended to our sick seven-year-old.  My heavy heart overflowed with gratitude. 

“Thank you for a God-fearing husband, willing to take care of sick kiddos, when my body was too tired to move. Thank you for the blessing of kids and the gift of caring for them, even in their illness. Thank you that the sickness came on Saturday instead of on Thursday, so we could still enjoy time with the nineteen family members in our home. Thank you, Lord. Protect the rest of us, but thank you. In all circumstances, God, you are good!”

Affirming God’s goodness as he rose out of bed, my husband reminded me of where our strength resides. The mild virus in our home paled in comparison to the larger storms of life that God had carried us through in our twenty-four years of marriage. Affirming God’s character and giving thanks to Him is how we stayed and will continue to stay afloat. 

Tip #8: Ground Yourself in Gratitude

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus…” 

Paul penned these words found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and they still ring true today. This is God’s will for your life. 

Gratitude grants our hearts a glimpse of hope, when our circumstances seem dark. In focusing on God’s goodness and character, we shift our focus from self-pity to His strength and saving grace. Our circumstances may not change, but our hearts ability to handle them does.

A prayer of gratitude affirms God’s goodness, which never changes, and confirms that He is always true to His word. 

In simpler words, we exchange the hard of this life for His hope. 

What is something you are grateful for?

If you’re going through a season of challenge, can you still see God’s goodness and give thanks? Write out your own prayer or use the one below to get you started… we can always give thanks!

“Thank you for another day to be alive. Thank you for the flowers on the side of the road, the sunshine in the sky, and the calm sky after the storm. Thank you, God, for loving me, providing for me, and giving me hope.“