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Gratitude: The Enemy of Despair
Reflect/Discuss
- Do you ever struggle with feeling hopeless?
- How does thankfulness change your perspective?
Consider
Have you ever felt like everything is going wrong at once? It is difficult to be grateful when we feel that all around us is suffering, division, and hopelessness. In Psalms chapter 69 we see a man who is in incredibly difficult circumstances. He describes himself as sinking in the “miry depths.” This is something like deep mud, or sinking sand that traps and swallows up anyone in it. That is despair - the feeling of being swallowed up by the difficulties of our life and seeing no way out.
This chapter of Psalms, though it begins in despair, ends specifically in praise and thanks to God. David, the author of this Psalm, shows us an important example. We are to give thanks to God in all circumstances, especially in our most difficult ones. This is how we overcome despair - with gratitude. When we focus on thanking and praising God, we remind ourselves who he is: our protection, our provider, and our salvation!
Act
- Write out a list of specific things God has done for you. Refer to that list in times of trouble.
- Share your testimony with someone this week.
Scripture
About this Plan
In difficult situations, we long more for a change of circumstances than we do a change in ourselves. Surprisingly, changing what’s inside of us by choosing gratitude changes our perspective even if circumstances remain undesirable. That’s why God tells us to be grateful in all circumstances. Practicing thankfulness is more powerful than we think. In this study, we’ll learn how God uses gratitude to change our lives for the better.
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