Parents and Kids Daily Devotional "Abundant Joy"Sample

Giving thanks when we get what we want is easy. But how do we give thanks when bad things are happening?

There’s a man named Horatio Spafford, a prominent lawyer from Chicago, United States. In 1870 he lost his only son because of dengue fever. A year later, a great tragedy known as The Great Chicago Fire burned down almost all his assets.

Not long after that, Spafford planned a trip with his wife and 4 daughters to Europe for the D. L. Moody seminar. He was held back for a business urgency so his family went on without him. He planned to catch up after he took care of his business.

Alas, another tragedy struck. The ship that carried his wife and daughters was in an accident and sank to the bottom of the ocean. His wife survived the tragedy, while his 4 daughters were killed in the accident. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to Spafford that read “saved alone”.

If you were in Spafford’s shoes, what would you do? Could you still give thanks to God? It would be really difficult. Spafford was an exception. As he sailed to England to join his wife, he pondered upon the goodness of God in his life and wrote the song “It Is Well with My Soul.” That song is still a blessing to many people to this day.

The circumstances may not be good, but the choice to be grateful is ours to make. Whatever happens, God is good and He will always be. His love and faithfulness endure forever.

Devotion for Parents
Whatever situation you are in right now, is it as big as Spafford’s? If Spafford was able to continue to praise God, how about us?

Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and help you. Your strengths are limited, but His unlimited power shall empower you.

Devotion for Kids
Learning from the story of Spafford, who continued to give thanks to God in all circumstances, is not easy. It requires commitment and willingness from our hearts to practice it daily. God is willing to help us only if we allow Him to. Let the Holy Spirit come and fill your heart and mind, empowering you to give thanks in all circumstances.

Family Devotion Time
Sing the song “It Is Well with My Soul” together with your family. Sing and remember how this song was written. Then, pray together, lifting up your troubles to God and give thanks nevertheless.