GRATITUDE BUILDS MY FAITH.

Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7 (GW)

Anybody can thank God in good times. But if you can thank God even in the bad times – when life doesn’t make sense and your prayers seem unanswered – your faith will grow stronger and your roots will go deeper. Gratitude helps you remember the faith lessons that God has already taught you. It helps you sink your roots in him and build on him, and to be strengthened by the faith that you were taught. When the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk went through tough times, he said: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18). In the midst of his trouble, Habakkuk rejoiced. What was the cause of his gratitude? I will be joyful in God my Savior. When everything else stinks in life, you can be grateful because the Lord is your Savior. You can be thankful to God just for being your God. God has promised to see you through those tough situations, and your faith will grow even stronger because of it. Just say, “God, I know you’re in control. I know you love me, and I know you can bring good out of this. I’m thankful that you’re bigger than my problem.” This is the ultimate test of the depth of your faith. Can you thank God when life stinks? When you’re going through tough times, don’t focus on what’s lost. Look at what’s left, and give thanks to God.