I once heard a story about a profoundly-disfigured leper woman in India who would be carried to a church service each week. Yet, she truly thanked God for what she had. She had most of her face missing and her limbs were horribly disfigured but she was a picture of joy.
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How could this woman be so thankful? This sort of response bemuses so many people, yet time and again there are people who show surprising character by rising above the circumstances to find something to learn and grow from in their tumults.
How could this woman be so thankful? This sort of response bemuses so many people, yet time and again there are people who show surprising character by rising above the circumstances to find something to learn and grow from in their tumults.
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Giving thanks in all circumstances doesn't mean give thanks for all circumstances. Someone who has contracted cancer would be described as insane in being thankful for the disease. But, they could go against the flow and still find reason to be thankful in their circumstances. They would only stand to gain, and not lose with such an attitude. Many people have beaten cancer through the aid of a positive attitude and faith.
Giving thanks in all circumstances doesn't mean give thanks for all circumstances. Someone who has contracted cancer would be described as insane in being thankful for the disease. But, they could go against the flow and still find reason to be thankful in their circumstances. They would only stand to gain, and not lose with such an attitude. Many people have beaten cancer through the aid of a positive attitude and faith.
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"Give thanks in all circumstances," is actually a biblical command given by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. He says it in other places also. James said it to when he said, "Consider it pure joy... when you face trials of many kinds."
"Give thanks in all circumstances," is actually a biblical command given by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. He says it in other places also. James said it to when he said, "Consider it pure joy... when you face trials of many kinds."
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People will struggle with this, no doubt. Those even mature of faith and personality will struggle with it, but it remains, we should aspire to this ideal and know that it is possible. It is helpful to be cognisant of others' experiences -- people who've actually shown this response and proved it the way to go.
People will struggle with this, no doubt. Those even mature of faith and personality will struggle with it, but it remains, we should aspire to this ideal and know that it is possible. It is helpful to be cognisant of others' experiences -- people who've actually shown this response and proved it the way to go.
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Reasons to be thankful in all circumstances:
Reasons to be thankful in all circumstances:
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- We encourage others in our stoic approach.
- We encourage others in our stoic approach.
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- It is inspirational to see someone tackle a problem and not complain.
- It is inspirational to see someone tackle a problem and not complain.
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- Children, particularly, are learning the right model when they observe this thankful approach.
- Children, particularly, are learning the right model when they observe this thankful approach.
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- It helps people relate with us as they're not scared of talking about our problem -- it's not a 'taboo' subject.
- It helps people relate with us as they're not scared of talking about our problem -- it's not a 'taboo' subject.
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- It builds our faith and resilience all the more when we discover that being thankful helped solve our problem and actually minimised associated knock-on problems.
- It builds our faith and resilience all the more when we discover that being thankful helped solve our problem and actually minimised associated knock-on problems.
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What would we have to lose in remaining hopeful and thankful in all circumstances? Nothing really. It takes just a little courage and faith. So, I urge you, give it a try.
What would we have to lose in remaining hopeful and thankful in all circumstances? Nothing really. It takes just a little courage and faith. So, I urge you, give it a try.
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Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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