“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” Psalm 107:31 NIV

May I ask a personal question? What were you thinking about right before you clicked to read this?

Was it the ever-growing list of things that must get done today? How about the endless run of inspirational quotes showing up in your newsfeed that you can’t seem to stop scrolling through? Or maybe your thoughts hovered over a bigger problem, something that’s causing you to lose precious sleep?

I’d like to say I was thinking about something really profound and maybe even amazing, but I wasn’t. I was thinking about a nagging, aching pain.

Not the heart-hurt kind of pain. I know we all have that sometimes too, but I was thinking about physical pain.

My body is currently in recovery-mode after some recent treatments. I’m regaining my strength, but certain things still hurt. And I’ve discovered that physical pain can take control of my thoughts, if I let it.

I know the power of thanking God continually when my thoughts wander to my circumstances. He is worthy of my thanks. But honestly, there are times when showing gratitude is harder than others, like when I’m hurting and ibuprofen isn’t going to help.

When pain or other hard things threaten to hold our thoughts hostage, Psalm 107 offers a life-giving antidote unlike anything this world can offer. In this chapter, the psalmist shows us 4 circumstances when it’s important for us to thank God. (Click this link to read Psalm 107.)

In the Wilderness

The psalmist tells four stories about God working a miracle for His people. The first one begins with a reference to the children of Israel, wanderers without a place to settle (Psalm 107:4). In the midst of desperation, God responded to their cries for help. He guided them to a place where they would find everything they needed. When we face an uncertain future and don’t see a way out, God will answer. We serve a God who “smooths out the path ahead” of us (Isaiah 26:7).

In Bondage of Sin

Being held captive is quite different than wandering in unknown territory. But regardless of our circumstances, God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). God’s people called to Him, and He delivered the prisoners from captivity (Psalm 107:13).

Suffering in Sickness

Even when sickness affects our bodies and makes us feel like there’s no end to the suffering, God is with us to offer healing and comfort. When His people cried out, He healed those with afflictions (Psalm 107:20). The strongest chains and deepest wounds are no match for God’s great love.

In the Storm

Maybe your battle isn’t in the desert, in chains, or with sickness today. Maybe a storm rages around you, and you’ve been knocked down by wave after wave of bad news. You may not feel thankful right now, but we can’t let the storm of today cloud our memories of His mercy. In the fourth description, God “stilled the storm” and brought calm when things grew out of control.

Each painful situation described in this Psalm ends with a call for us to thank the Lord for His wonderful deeds and unfailing love. God is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23), and thanking Him for all He has done brings hope in the most difficult times of life.

Let’s thank the Lord for His faithfulness that overcomes the chains of yesterday, wilderness of today, and storms of tomorrow.

His love never fails, and His deeds are wonderful.

Blessings,

Kristine

This time of year brings to mind memories of childhood Christmases. The pattern in our house rarely changed from year to year, and I loved it. I would anticipate every second, from munching on crunchy party mix at my dad’s house on Christmas Eve, to playing in the backyard at my aunt and uncle’s on Christmas afternoon.

I always knew what to expect, and I thrived on the predictability.

I don’t know how my parents managed to pull it off, with the challenges divorce can bring. But somehow they did. I felt safe knowing what our holidays had in store.

As a wife, mom, stepmom, and Mimi, holidays have been a bit more unexpected, and sometimes even unpredictable.

For years I tried to create a Christmas season our family could count on and look forward to each year. But outside factors and challenges always seemed to interrupt my best laid plans.

Frustration and bitterness have a way of surfacing in times like this, when lost expectations cause me to feel like my holiday isn’t good enough. Whether I’m comparing my plans to years past, or to friends’ posts on social media. With a simple scroll, I can easily become overwhelmed with pic after pic of recipes, decorations, and family outings that put my spur-of-the-moment schedule to shame.

When we’re tempted to compare our holidays, we risk losing the mountain of blessings right where we are. Expectations of what we long for become the enemy of what we already have. But God offers a better way.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Expectations can push contentment into the shadows, but God renews our contentment with the light of each new day.

I’m learning to be content with my circumstances and schedule through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even when they take an abrupt turn. In fact, our current circumstances will have an effect on my ability to plan, go, and do as much as I’d like through this year’s holiday season. But when disappointment tries to creep in, I will remind myself of God’s promise to me. His presence is always here when we choose to focus on him. He will fill us with joy and peace through the holidays.

Our holiday doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

With this in mind, you may be thinking, “But my holiday can’t be wonderful. Not this year. Too much has happened.”

I am right there with you. I am, and I understand. May I share something with you? One thing I’ve learned is this…

We can let a diagnosis, grief, or hurt determine our path for the days ahead. Or, we can allow it to draw us into the throne-room of grace, where mercy, hope, and healing reside.

We have a choice for this holiday and those that follow, as well. May we find the strength and solace in Christ to take all the comparison, expectation, disappointment, and frustration and cast it away. Let’s live in the moment, right now, where we are. Whatever our circumstances.

Although holiday seasons can sometimes be painful, I am praying each of us has a wonderful, imperfect, unexpected, yet always grace-filled holiday season.

To discover more about letting go of comparison and embracing God’s plan, visit the Over It book page here.