Title: Thanking God for What You Did Not Have.

-

Scripture Reading
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18  
“At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” — Acts 16:25  
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

Reflection: It is natural to thank God for what He has given us — blessings, opportunities, and open doors. Yet the deeper mystery of faith is learning to thank Him for what He did not give, for the doors that remained closed, and for the opportunities that slipped away.  
  When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they did not lament their chains; instead, they sang praises to God. What looked like tragedy became the stage for a miracle. Likewise, when you lose a job, miss a connection, or face rejection, gratitude may seem irrational to the world. But thanksgiving in loss is a declaration of trust: “Father, You know better than I do.”
  I recall a season after residency when I was asked to leave despite an earlier extension. Friends thought it was a tragedy, but I chose to sing praises. Life became tough, yet in that valley God connected me to a younger colleague, and soon I found a job abroad that opened doors I had long prayed for. What seemed like loss was God’s redirection.
Application: 
- Closed doors: Thank God for them, for they protect you from paths not meant for you.  
- Delays: Praise Him in waiting seasons, for His timing is perfect.  
- Losses: Worship Him even in loss, for He can turn ashes into beauty.  
- Unexpected turns: Trust that every detour is part of His divine map.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to thank You not only for what You give but also for what You withhold. Help me to see closed doors as Your protection, delays as Your preparation, and losses as Your redirection. May my heart sing praises in every circumstance, knowing You are working all things together for my good. Amen.

Are you in the valley praise God, share your testimony here. Please feel free to share this with your contacts. ©Dr Joel Olanrewaju gbemide09@gmail.com.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Title: Divine Acceleration.

-
Genesis 41:40-41  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. Devotion: Have you ever felt like your dreams are taking too long to come true? Like you're walking a slow path while others seem to be racing ahead? Take heart—God is a God of acceleration! When He steps in, He can take you from waiting to walking in His promises in an instant.   Consider the story of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit—it seemed like his dreams were slipping further away. But when God's appointed time arrived, Joseph was promoted from the prison to the palace in a single day! (Genesis 41:14-41). Years of waiting, hardship, and ...
Read more

Title: Wisdom from God.

-
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. Devotion:  If you’ve ever gone on a trip somewhere you’ve never been, you know how important it is to have a map. Maps help us navigate the unknown areas ahead. Similarly, God’s Word helps us navigate through the unknown seasons of life. It reveals God’s wisdom, which can be essential in guiding our lives.  The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom and knowledge that helps people live according to God’s purposes for their life. It starts by acknowledging that everything begins with God.   Because God is the creator of life, He knows what direction our lives should go. Our role, according to Proverbs, is to seek Him and trust Him. Trusting God means having a relationship with Him and believing that He knows what's best for us.   The more we trust in God and submit our lives to Him, the more we wi...
Read more

Title:When We Walk with God.

-
Genesis 17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Devotion: Walking with God is more than just a phrase—it is a way of life, an intimate journey of faith, trust, and obedience. Throughout the Bible, we see individuals who walked with God and experienced His guidance, protection, and blessings. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that when we choose to walk with Him, we are never alone.   Walking in Obedience – Noah's Example  In Genesis 6:9, we read: "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God." Despite living in a corrupt world, Noah remained steadfast in his obedience to God. His faith led him to build an ark, enduring ridicule and hardship, yet his obedience saved his family and preserved the future of mankind.     When we walk with God, obedience is key. It may not always...
Read more