When it’s hard to be thankful–yet we are…
Hospitals can be scary places. This day was no exception and I was very thankful to have my sister with me as we waited for my husband’s bone scan to be competed. The smiling technician had wheeled my loved one out the room with a cheerful, “We’ll be back in just a few minutes!”
And he was mostly right. The tech and my man arrived back within forty-five minutes, but the tech’s cheerfulness had disappeared. While still courteous and helpful, his smile and outgoing demeanor were gone. As we traveled the long corridor back toward the exit, the sun shining through the glass-lined hallway didn’t seem so bright.
I feared approaching darkness.
When the results of the scan appeared in his online chart, my fears became reality. My husband’s cancer had metastasized to his bones and lymphatic system.
It was hard to be thankful.
Before His arrest, Jesus prayed in Gethsemane:
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little further, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:33-36)
Although Jesus submitted to the will of His Father and accepted what was to come, He must have found it hard to be thankful, knowing the hardship and pain ahead of him.
Jesus was crucified on Friday, as Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watched from a distance. After Jesus died and was taken down from the cross, the two Marys watched Him being placed in a tomb.
Could Mary Magdalene and the other Mary be thankful?
But what a difference three days made in their sorrow and grief!
On Sunday, the two Marys and Salome brought spices to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. They were worried about who could roll away the stone. But when they arrived, they found the large stone already moved from blocking the tomb entrance. They entered the tomb and found a young man dressed in white who told them: (summarized from Mark 16:1-5).
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you’.” (Mark 16:6-7)
What joy! Jesus is alive!
Jesus has fulfilled the promise he made to His disciples:
Do not let you hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be there with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4
The disciples and followers of Jesus were joyful because of his Resurrection. They were thankful!
But…there is more!
Because our Lord and Savior lives–we who believe will also live with Him. My husband’s earthly body was defeated by cancer, but not his spirit. Because he believed in God and in Jesus, my loved one is now alive–with Jesus, in a place prepared just for my him. Just as I will see Jesus when the time comes, I will see my loved ones.
I am thankful.
As we remember and celebrate the joy of our Savior’s Resurrection, for what are you reminded to give thanks?
This is the final message in this three-part series on the difficulty of giving thanks in all circumstances. If you want to review Part 1 or Part 2, the links are below. Thank you for going through this journey with me. I’d like to conclude by saying that I agree with the following Scripture:
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 3:23)
But, please consider this perspective…
We can give thanks for our Lord’s presence with us during all circumstances, because He is always with us through the hard times.
And one more thing…
As I post this message, Resurrection Sunday, the culmination of the Easter Season, the day we celebrate our Lord and Savior’s victory over death, is coming to a close.
But Easter never ends…
We experience the joy and praise of God’s greatest gift of love to us every day of the year.
When giving thanks is hard–Part 1:
When giving thanks is hard–Part 2:
“We can give thanks for our Lord’s presence with us during all circumstances, because He is always with us through the hard times.” Yes, Katherine, I think this is what Paul meant when he wrote these scriptures. No matter what happens we can be thankful our Lord is bigger than anything we go through and He never leaves us or forsakes us.
“Our Lord is bigger than anything we go through.” I love the way you said that, Barbara. We are so blessed that he is always with us, faithful in all things. Thank you for sharing with us. Wishing you a blessed week.
Katherine – thank you for sharing your personal story -and one that I identify with-that takes us to gratitude. We’re not thankful for the painful event or suffering, but for Jesus who never abandons us in it and keeps His promises of grace for the moment. Yesterday I heard a pastor mention that for Christians, earthly living is the worst it ever be because we look forward to heaven.
Thank you for your understanding, Marilyn. I know you’re on this journey, too. Like you, I am grateful our Lord is always with us through the trials and I’m thankful for His never-ending grace. Wishing you peace, joy, and blessings.
Great message to remind us the the Resurrection never ends. It’s eternal!
Having gone through two saddening cancer diagnosis, surgeries, and treatments; I can say that I was able to still praise Him through those storms. Maybe not every day, but the majority of them.
Thank you for sharing, Ben. You and your family know the anxieties and fears cancer brings to families, while you have also experienced God’s grace and goodness on your journey. I pray for your continued good health and God’s blessings on your ministry of service for Him.
Thank you Katherine. I did not know about your husband’s battle with cancer. I am so very sorry for the deep sorrow. I am so grateful for the testimony of his faith and of your assurance of where he is and with Whom. This is the blessing of knowing Jesus. It is an encouragement to me as well. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your kind expression of condolence, Sylvia. My husband’s illness and death is the hardest circumstance I have ever experienced. I have been greatly blessed by my Lord’s presence with me as a caregiver (I couldn’t have done it without Him) and His presence with me following my husband’s death. I am comforted and blessed by the knowledge of seeing him again. May God bless you and your family.
I so appreciate your post. It is hard when we are passing through the darkness of grief over the loss of someone we love. Your words bring hope and I thank you for that. I especially liked, “Because our Lord and Savior lives–we who believe will also live with Him. My husband’s earthly body was defeated by cancer, but not his spirit. Because he believed in God and in Jesus, my loved one is now alive–with Jesus, in a place prepared just for my him. Just as I will see Jesus when the time comes, I will see my loved ones.” This is the source of all hope of us as believers. Blessings, dear friend.
When grief visits us, I believe it takes up permanent residence. Thankfully, our Father is always with us, too, helping us carry the burden. Thank you, Carla, for your kindness and understanding. May God bless you on your journey and your ministry of service.
Such a blessing this series has been Ms. Katherine. As you’ve shared your heart and soul with us, you’ve also shared God’s heart for His children. I’m sure glad you’re one of them ma’am.
Thank you, J.D. Sharing this journey has been painful for me, but cathartic as well. I’m so happy you are one of God’s children, too, my friend. Our Father created you as a wonderful person of faith, love, and encouragement. Like many others you have helped along your journey, I am blessed by your kindness. Praying all is well for the Cross-Dubya family.
I’ve enjoyed this series, Katherine. I agree that it’s God’s will for us to give thanks in all circumstances. He wants us to depend on Him, to understand He is always with us. We learn this through the hard circumstances of life.
Thanks for illustrating how this worked in your life through your difficult personal example.
Blessings to you!
Throughout my life, I’ve struggled with the need to be independent rather than submitting to and depending on God. It took some hard knocks for me to begin to let go of that need to always be in control and turn to our Father for guidance. Thank you for your kindness and encouragement, Candyce. I hope your day is bright and sunny, filled with joy as we continue to celebrate our Risen Savior.
So encouraging Katherine. It is in the dark times when we must trust that he is always good.
Yes, Terri, I agree. He is our Light in those dark times. Wishing you joy, blessings, and Light.
I am so grateful our Lord is with us is all we go experience. I am so very grateful we have the hope of reuniting with those who have gone on before us. Thank you for this Easter encouragement! Blessings!
He has given us life and hope. This Easter season reminds us of our blessing of Light and Love from our Lord and Savior. Like you, Joanne, I am so grateful for those gifts of love. Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry.
I love the truth in this line: “ We can give thanks for our Lord’s presence with us during all circumstances, because He is always with us through the hard times.”
Thank you for sharing your faith and hope.
Thank you, Erin, for your encouragement and the gift of your compassion. Wishing you a blessed Spring, filled with joy, hope, and light.
How thankful I am Jesus walked through that grievous valley with you, Katherine. I’m glad you connected the Resurrection to our daily lives because the fact that Jesus resides in the hearts of believers reminds us we have His strength and hope in difficult times. What a powerful reminder.
I could not have made the journey of caregiver and sorrow without Jesus. Thank you for the gift of joy you share with us, Jeannie. Your smile is filled with light and enthusiasm and you share the love of Jesus with us all. Wishing you blessings, my friend.
Thank you, Katherine, for sharing this message from such a personal perspective. Where would we be without these promises from Jesus? I can’t imagine persevering through the tragedies of life without them. I did not know about your husband, but I now pray God continues to comfort your heart with His presence.
I know that I would be lost without Jesus, Annie. I couldn’t make it through the pain and sorrow without His love and support. I am grateful for your prayers. Thank you. May our Father continue to bless you in service to Him.
Thank you, Katherine, for the insights you’ve shared in this series. I’m so thankful with you that your husband is with Jesus and you will someday see him again. Jesus’ resurrection is the reason for all our thankfulness even in hard times. My prayers are with you as you continue to heal.
I’ve been so blessed that our Father led me through that dark valley of illness and loss, sometimes carried me, and was always with me. Now, in the valley of grief, His loving children pray for me, love me through the pain, and send me rays of sunshine virtually. Thank you, dear friend.
Thank you for sharing this, Katherine. There is comfort in knowing we will see our loved ones again if they, too, were followers of Christ. I’m so thankful for that blessing.
Thank you, LuAnn. For those of us who are looking forward to being reunited with loved ones, knowing they are with Jesus is truly a blessing. May God bless you and your ministry. Thank you for your service to our Father.