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The Bible declares in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." It is easy for
us to murmur and complain when things don't go as we had hoped, but the
Bible says, "In everything give thanks." We are to praise God and thank
Him for the good times as well as the bad. We are to be in one mind at all
times and remind ourselves that this time on earth as long or as short as
it may seem is but a moment when compared to Eternity. If you are finding
yourself depressed because of your circumstances, I encourage you to get
into God's Word and read His many promises so that your Joy may be filled
and that the fire of giving thanks will be rekindled within your spirit.
I hope you are encouraged and challenged by this story that shows how
giving thanks has nothing to do with a person's circumstances, but rather
it has to do with their faith and focus on the One who has placed them on
this earth.
IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS
The night shift had finally ended. It was one of the worst nights I could
remember in 10 years. No matter what I had done, it didn't seem as if I had
accomplished anything of value. The hospital was unusually full, and the
patients especially needy. Eight hours weren't enough time to get all my
tasks completed, so I'd stayed an extra hour to finish. I drove home crying
in frustration, nerve fibers stretched to maximum exhaustion.
Too tired to walk into the house, I sat on the front porch well past the
hour of dawn's coolness and rocked in the wicker chair, oblivious to the
weight-bearing heat on my skin. Devoid of energy, there was nothing left
for me to do but to allow the sun's rays to warm me, wishing I was one of
those people who didn't get so emotionally involved with my patients. I
gripped the rounded curves of the oversized arms and pushed myself back
and forth, chanting, "Why, why?" with the creaking rhythm.
My heart had been torn to shreds by a gentle giant whose illness I couldn't
stop, whose pain I couldn't halt. Cancer had been invading his body cell by
cell and all the years of training and experience and all the magical pills
and potions couldn't stop it. Isaiah was dying. Nature was taking its
course, and man had no power to reverse it.
A look of wide-eyed surprise and stiffening of his body were the only clues
that he was suffering. He'd clutch his stomach and call out, "Lord, take
it away. Please, Lord, take it away." The prescribed medication wasn't
touching the racking pain rolling in waves through his system. Helplessly
I gripped his hand and prayed aloud with him until the bout of agony had
ended. The night crept along, second by second, as Isaiah waited for the
next attack to render him helpless, knowing that death, ever vigilant,
lurked in the shadows.
When I turned him to his side to make him more comfortable, swaddled with
pillows, he squeezed my fingers and repeated, "Oh, God is so good. God is
so good. Thank you, miss. Thank you."
When he had an episode of heavy bleeding from his wounds, he was bathed,
dressings were changed, and his linens were replaced, but still he didn't
complain. When asked what could be done for him, he replied, "I just want
to sit and talk to my Master. I need to talk to my Master right now." He
lay back, eyes closed, and murmured prayers of worship.
During brief interludes of respite we held hands, patient and nurse, the
words spilling over from my heart. My tears fell on my lap as I leaned over
Isaiah to fix yet another bleeding wound, reminded of someone else who had
suffered over 2,000 years ago. Had the women of Jerusalem felt this same
anguish? Had they railed about their own impotence as did I?
I was the silent witness to Isaiah's Calvary. Nursing care could
temporarily beat back the discomfort, but he alone would walk the final
walk with God. To be in communion with his Creator in preparation for their
meeting was a sacred rite that couldn't be trespassed upon by mere mortals.
Before I left him to the care of the day shift, I tiptoed into his room and
kissed both his cheeks. Words were unnecessary, but I wanted to open my heart.
"You are one of the bravest people I know, Isaiah. You have every right to
whine to God about your situation, but, you pray for Him to be with you
and to hold you in His arms while you suffer. You have opened a window for
me and through it I have seen a glimpse of what it must have been like for
Jesus. You are my hero."
A tear rolled down his face and he gripped my hands. "I am looking forward
to seeing you in heaven," he whispered. Nodding my head, I left his side.
Safe on my porch, I asked for forgiveness for all the times I had
complained about insignificant problems in my life, for my doubting and
questioning. Then I prayed for grace to walk my walk with the same dignity
and faith as did Isaiah. Rising from the chair, I felt the peace that comes
when one has witnessed the work of God, and I gave Him praise.
By Irene Budzynski
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:1-4 "I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears."
James 1:2-8 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that
man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man
is unstable in all his ways."
Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let
your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus."
Psalm 103:1-5 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless
His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle's."
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version.
Today's Selected Poem: GOOD THINGS TO REMEMBER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem129.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony1.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
