Grateful Heart

Friday, November 1st, 2024

Many times in life when we go through trials and tribulations being grateful is the farthest thing from our minds but I challenge you today to look at the valleys of life from a new perspective.First let us pray and invite God into our hearts, minds, and situations. 

Heavenly Father, You are so good to me. I don't have to look very far to see evidence of your goodness in my life. Even in the midst of hard situations, You show yourself faithful, ever-present, and trustworthy. With a grateful heart, Thank you God for saving me over and over and over. In Jesus's precious and powerful name. Amen. 

30  As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
31  For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
32  It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
33  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
34  He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35  You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
36  You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.
37  I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
    I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
38  I crushed them so that they could not rise;
    they fell beneath my feet.
39  You armed me with strength for battle;
    you humbled my adversaries before me.
40  You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
    and I destroyed my foes.
41  They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
    to the Lord, but he did not answer.
42  I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
    I trampled them [f]  like mud in the streets.
43  You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
    you have made me the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
44      foreigners cower before me;
    as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
45  They all lose heart;
    they come trembling from their strongholds.

46  The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
    Exalted be God my Savior!
47  He is the God who avenges me,
    who subdues nations under me,
48      who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
    from a violent man you rescued me.
49  Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing the praises of your name.
50  He gives his king great victories;
    he shows unfailing love to his anointed,
    to David and to his descendants forever.

We will all go through valleys in life and many times we make it a million times worse with how we handle it. I always say it's not the “What”.. it’s the “How” that makes all the difference. The question is not "What" battle are you facing? ..but "How" are you handling it? Are you negative, angry, complaining, grumbling, gripped with fear and distress? Looking to face your battles with your own power? That seems to be the default many of us find ourselves in when things aren't going our way. What if...what if though...instead of focusing on what's going wrong, you get curious about what God’s doing and get radically grateful? 

Going through a cancer diagnosis and the ups and downs, the treatment, the waiting, the next scan, the next treatment, reaching a peak to find another valley, whatever battle you are facing what I can tell you is this...each valley you go through deepens your relationship with God. I have never been closer to God than I am right now. I have witnessed His miracles, His faithfulness, and so many victories while walking through this valley with Him and I can't wait to witness this test turn into a beautiful testimony of His glory. I would never trade this experience for anything! This valley has transformed my family and me, what an honor to rely on,trust and believe in our God with all of our hearts and depend on Him for our very lives and to watch in
awe of His deliverance, His love, and answered prayers. Even in the middle of the valley still, His very presence is a miracle, how He communicates with us is a miracle, and how he brings healing is just as equal a miracle. We don’t need to know what, when, or how just that He IS..and His way is perfect and the Lord’s word is flawless. How humble we are to be even worthy to witness and be loved, protected, and provided for by our living miracle-working God. 

Are you praising God in the valleys of life? Relying on Him to guide you and show you the beauty of the valleys as well as the peaks? 

God has a reason for everything you are going through right now, the valleys refine you, purify you, teach you, and change you...but you have to surrender to Him and His plan and just be in awe of the work He is doing in you with a truly grateful heart. He is perfect, His ways, His plan, His timing..is perfect. Trust Him. His ways are higher. He will give you great victories and show you unfailing love throughout it all. The valleys can be exquisitely beautiful with God as your tour guide. 

Heavenly Father, Please help me have a grateful heart always, in the peaks and the valleys of life

Help me remember that with you I am a victor, not a victim.

I pray that you can find gratitude and beauty today in any situation and know that God is with you. May you surrender to Him in every way and allow Him to bring you to victory. May you thank Him today for EVERYTHING that you are going through and feel deep gratitude in the depths of your heart for Him, who loves you beyond measure.