EPHESIANS 5:20
One of the most difficult things to do is to express gratitude to God, especially in the midst of an unfair treatment. It’s even more daunting when you know, “in your heart of hearts”, that you are simply being a victim of circumstances or blackmail.
I faced this dilemma, exactly seven (7) years ago today, 25th July 2012, when some bizarre circumstances led to my suspension for six months without pay. I was hurt, and experienced excruciating pain. (Name of former church withheld). Of course, many people gave various interpretations to the suspension; whilst others gave their own versions and narratives; even those who didn’t know the issues had their own answers, and judgement based on speculations. Those issues will be dealt with in another series later. But in my moment of pain, I read 1Thessalonians 5:18 over and over again; “Give thanks ( be grateful, show gratitude, appreciate everything..emphasis mine) in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus”.( 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
I said to myself, this is not reasonable. “How can believers lie about me, scandalise me, embarras me like this and attribute it to God’s will? These are not ordinary people; they are men of God, full of the Holy Spirit, most of them probably know who is lying and who is telling the truth, yet for “religious expediency”, they turned a blind eye on all the evidence available and chose the comfort of one person. As my bishop put it at that time when he called me to his house (purportedly wanting to know the truth) “it’s better to lose you, than to lose my right hand man, even if he is not right”. When I read that scripture, I told God, “I know you said I should give thanks in all circumstances, but I am hurting”. It’s not reasonable to show gratitude when you are in pain, hurting and not thinking straight. God’s command to show gratitude has nothing to do with feelings. I went through that suspension graciously; that period gave me the opportunity to reflect on so many things. I was reposted to a different branch where
I did one year before going back to school for a MASTER’S programme in Social Policy Studies. ( NOTE: I didn’t run away from those challenges, and I WAS NEVER DISMISSED, I left on my own, I RESIGNED)
Gratitude impacts every area of our lives. Seven years down the lane, I now understand why I needed to thank Him (God) for those circumstances. The command to give thanks is not “rubbing salt in a wound”. God knows that, being GRATEFUL in all circumstances has a powerful impact on every area of your Christian life. In my case, when I began thanking Him and showing gratitude, it reminded me that, He is continually close to me. Even though gratitude and gratefulness don’t come naturally in difficult circumstances, making a decision to be grateful to God for walking with us through those difficult and dark moments in life makes us sensitive to His comforting presence. Just like I did, I know many other people, who by showing gratitude to God, got motivated to look for God’s purpose in those difficult circumstances. Knowing that the Lord allows hurt and trouble for His good purposes takes the edge off the pain. Even if you don’t understand why you are going through those difficult times, you can still show gratitude, because in His time, He will work it all for your good. ( Romans 8:28-29
“I see God using your present circumstances, hardships and difficulties to transform you into the express image of Christ”.
To be cont..
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
