Thankfulness (Part 2)
Gratitude in the Fire
Life brings storms. Not “maybe,” not “eventually,” but certainly. Scripture never promises a life free of hardship — instead, it promises the presence of Jesus in the middle of whatever we face. Gratitude is not the absence of fire; it’s the awareness that Christ stands with us in it.
This message explores how we can cultivate gratitude even when everything around us is shaking.
Life Is Hard — For All of Us
Hard times, suffering, loss, and trials are woven into the human experience. No one gets a pass. Jesus Himself said:
John 16:33 — “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Hope is a choice. And the object of our hope is Jesus.
We often struggle with hardship because we believe lies about our circumstances:
“I deserve…”
“Why me…”
“God must be punishing me…”
“I won’t believe in a God who would allow this…”
But Scripture teaches us something very different. Suffering and blessing fall on the righteous and the unrighteous alike (Matthew 5:45). Following Jesus doesn’t remove pain — it transforms how we walk through it (Matthew 16:24).
Paul Affirms What Jesus Promised
The early church understood that suffering was not a detour from God’s will but part of the journey.
Romans 8:18 — Present suffering cannot compare to future glory.
2 Corinthians 4:8–9 — We may be pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, but we are never abandoned.
Philippians 1:29 — To believe in Christ and to suffer for Him are both gifts of grace.
These passages don’t minimize pain; they remind us that Christ gives strength, perspective, and purpose in the middle of it.
Gratitude Begins Before the Storm
A thankful heart is not forged in comfort. It’s formed before the crisis comes — in faith, surrender, and trust.
We see this clearly in:
Daniel 3:17–18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declare,
“Our God is able to deliver us… but even if He does not…”
Matthew 26:39
Jesus prays,
“Not my will, but Yours…”
Both faced death. Both faced pressure to compromise. Both submitted fully to God’s will. And both found God’s presence in the fire — the fourth man in the furnace for Daniel’s friends, and an angel strengthening Jesus in Gethsemane.
These parallel stories teach one truth:
Gratitude is not sustained by circumstances or support — it is sustained by conviction.
Storms Push Us in the Wrong Direction
When life gets hard, we naturally drift toward:
Quitting
Anger
Cynicism
Walking away from God
Isolating from God’s people
Gratitude is the practice that anchors our hearts back to Him.
Your Storm Is Bigger Than You
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t just survive the furnace — the entire Babylonian empire witnessed God’s power because of their faithfulness (Daniel 3:27–30).
Jesus didn’t just endure the cross — His suffering opened the way for our salvation (Matthew 27:45–50).
Our storms are not just about us.
God is shaping us, but He is also revealing Himself to others through our endurance, faith, and gratitude.
The Heart Posture That Survives the Fire
To stand firm in trials, we need the posture of:
Jesus: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: “He can deliver… but even if He doesn’t…”
This is the heart of gratitude:
Trusting God’s goodness even when we don’t understand
Holding an eternal perspective knowing this world is not our home
When we choose gratitude, God transforms our storm into our testimony.
Application: What Do We Do Now?
Thank God in the middle of your storm.
Gratitude is an act of faith, not an emotion.Repent and surrender one thing you’re trying to control.
Give God the space to work.Write a “Thank You” this week.
Gratitude rewires the heart and reshapes perspective.
Final Thought
God is writing your story. Don’t erase the difficult chapters.
Gratitude doesn’t deny the fire — it invites Jesus into it.
And where Jesus is present, no flame can destroy you.