A dear man of God had an experience while the ministry was still young. He would always go home depressed that the numbers (attendance) are not changing significantly. He felt frustrated and unfulfilled. One day, the Lord opened his eyes to see other metrics that were getting better in his Church; the finance, the commitment of people etc. That encounter delivered him from depression and repositioned the Church for unending growth.
Friend, gratitude is a function of perspective. The way you see life and things generally would determine if you would be grateful or depressed. When you see people dance like crazy in Church, don’t think that they have all the money in their bank accounts or that they have all their prayers already answered. No; they have just chosen to see things differently. When you see differently, you would live differently.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom… Yet I will rejoice in the LORD…” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Gratitude does not deny the fact of the situation, it only shifts focus from the fact of the situation to the truth of scriptures. Grateful people draw their gratitude from scriptures. They believe that the word of God to them is more important than what life throws at them. They allow the word of God to supply them perspective (Job 19:25).
“Remember the word unto your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope” (Psalms 119:49). You have not yet encountered God’s word until your perspective changes. The word of God is meant to give us new perspectives. When your perspective is derived from the unchanging word of God, the changing situations in the world would not move you (Job 19:25, Acts 20:24).
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Perspective would help you to see the cup half filled rather than seeing it as half empty. It helps you to see the rose among thorns, rather than focus on the thorns around the rose; same situation, different interpretation! Don’t let the devil interpret your life for you, let God and His word do. Things are not as bad as you think. You are not a failure even if you think you are. The year is not as bad as you think. There are a lot of things to be grateful for.
Perhaps, the biggest testimony of the woman with the issue of blood was not the healing she had when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, but that she remained alive despite losing blood for 12 years (Matthew 9:20-22). You may not have the job of your dream yet, but you are still alive. Be grateful that the sickness has not killed you. Be grateful that you can still hope for marriage even if you are not married yet; mad people don’t think of marriage. Gratitude is choosing to thank God for what you have rather than being depressed about what you don’t have (John 6:11). Be grateful today.
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria
