Straight from a Captivated Heart
By Lisa Elliott
This Thanksgiving, my husband asked those of us who had gathered in our home, to share what we were most thankful for as we reflected upon the year gone by. My mom spoke up immediately, "Everything! In everything give Him thanks."
We all smiled at her matter-of-fact, simple summary. After all, the apostle Paul would also have agreed with my mom. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 he exhorts us to, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Note, Paul says we are to thank God in all circumstances. I find great relief in this little word 'in' because I'm not sure I could honestly say I am thankful for all the circumstances that have transpired over the course of this past year.
After the gang all left and I was left alone with my thoughts, my heart continued to rehearse the previous year. So much to gather in my mind, much less process in my heart.
To begin with, it's been a big year of transition as we wrapped up four decades of full-time pastoral ministry and all that came with it. It hasn't exactly been a clear path as we prayerfully sought God's next steps into a new chapter of our lives. Add in the unexpected trauma we faced as we moved across the province to a place where we could finally settle. But, quite apart from all the upheaval of our transition, this past year has also held its share of disappointments, losses, grief, heartache, crises, accidents, and illness. That being said, there have been some extraordinary and unexpected blessings along the way. I have clearly seen God's hand IN all of these circumstances.
It, therefore, made sense that, as I considered the year, it wasn't the specific experiences that came to the forefront of my mind. Rather, what captured my heart's attention was God in those moments. I began to think about all the ways He showed up to be present in my life. Not simply in the general lump sum of everything, but in the specifics.
Seeing God in the mix came with some practice from a new approach to my Bible reading this year. It's been a venture through The Bible Recap alongside three beautiful, godly friends. Each day we are encouraged to discover a God Shot. That is, something about who God is as He reveals Himself through His written word. It's a practice of seeing God, more than me, in the Bible.
With this God-focused approach in mind, allow me to share of God's undeniable activity in all the circumstances of my life over the last twelve months. He has been my:
- Good Shepherd
- Reward
- Guide
- Truth
- Advocate
- Celebrator
- Faithful One
- Healer
- Comforter
- Sustainer
- Provider
- Defender
- Protector
- Rescuer
- Restorer
- Redeemer
These things I recall. Therefore I have hope. Great is His faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23). I am in awe of all the ways the Lord shows up in my life in His perfect time to show me who He is. I am captivated by His great love, mercy, compassion, and care toward me. Therefore, I will choose to give Him thanks in everything.
How have you seen God in all of the circumstances of your life? Why not take a minute, right now, to thank Him.
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Need a little extra encouragement? Discover more inspirational blogs by Lisa Elliott, Straight from the Heart.
About this Contributor:
Lisa Elliott is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of The Ben Ripple, Dancing in the Rain, and A Ministry Survival Guide. She’s also a writer for Just Between Us Magazine, theStory, and Good Ground. She and her husband, David, have four children (three on earth, one in heaven) and serve the Lord together in Stratford, ON, Canada.