Give Thanks Even in the Midst of Loss
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:13
I had a Thanksgiving post all ready to go, (it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada) there was even a picture of a Turkey holding a sign advising us to eat ham…
But I awoke this morning to my wife informing me that a dear sister in Christ had lost her battle with cancer. It was a somber way to start this weekend.
My prayers are with the Thalen family. Even though she lived and died in Christ’s arms, her loved ones still feel the loss deeply. Give them a hug, a shoulder, an ear. They grieve. There are countless tears…but tears are good. Tears bear witness to the beauty of a gift enjoyed.
And life is a gift.
A mother is a gift.
A wife is a gift.
A grandma is a gift.
But even through all the tears, we can still glorify Christ. Job is a prime example. When the news came that all ten of his children were dead, it says,
“Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’” Job 1:20-21
Job wept…but…he also worshiped. He gave thanks in the midst of loss.
This Thanksgiving let us give thanks in the midst of loss…for the Gospel of salvation. For the love and grace and mercy that our Father in Heaven so lavishly pours out upon us because of Jesus Christ. For family and a covenant community of believers. Pray that the Lord would so satisfy us with His steadfast love that we might both live and die to glorify him…like Linda Thalen did.
“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”
This Thanksgiving let’s consider what we should be giving thanks for.
“…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day ~ 2 Corinthians 4:14-16 “
Thank you Ryan. It is a hard time but we are so thankful for the communion of saints and the knowledge that Mom is with our Lord in Heaven.
Hi Yvonne, give thanks to our Lord. We are praying for you all. I know all too intimately the pain of losing a parent to cancer. But God is good, he is faithful, he is all satisfying even in the midst of loss. If you need anything let us know.
Great reminder. Sometimes it can be very hard to focus on the blessings in the midst of pain, but it’s absolutely necessary. Gratitude through the hard times is a demonstration of faith, and accelerates the Romans 8:28 promise.