• About
  • Business & Blog Resources
  • Wholesale FAQ
  • My Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Advertising/Promotion

Duct Tape and Denim

Thrift store makeovers~Upcycled Jewelry~Living a Repurposed Life~DIY Crafts

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Thrifting
    • Thrifting Tips
    • The Ultimate Guide to DIY Jewelry Box Makeovers
    • Jewelry Box Makeovers
    • Jewelry Cabinet Makeovers
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Mirror Makeovers
    • Other Thrift Store Makeovers
  • DIY/Crafts
    • Painting
    • Spray Painting
    • DIY Jewelry
    • Coloring
    • DIY Wedding
    • Paper Crafts
    • Crochet
    • Embroidery
    • Printables
    • Wood Burning
  • Food
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Dish
    • Desserts
  • DIY Home
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Craft Room
    • Kitchen
    • Laundry Room
    • Living Room
    • Organization
    • Cleaning Recipes
    • Gardening
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s Day
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • July 4
    • Autumn/Fall
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Faith

Thanksgiving

Should We be Grateful for the “Bad Stuff”?

Welcome to Day 15 of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving.  I had already scheduled this repost from EIGHT years ago about giving thanks when “bad stuff” happens before the horrible shooting in the small town where we used to live.  Made today’s article even more appropriate… and a little harder… to read…

The year my mother died was a hard year to celebrate the 30 Days of Thanksgiving.  But I have to admit… I think this year is harder.
Between floods, earthquakes, fires, mass shootings, tragic deaths, and disease, this has been a rough year for many of us.
One thing that has been emphasized to me is that I should be more thankful for what God has done for me.  Not that I shouldn’t be thankful for material things or family.  But those things… and even family… can be taken away from me.
I will still be thankful for them.  But I will be even more thankful for my salvation.  For the gospel.  For grace.  For God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Those things cannot be taken away from me.
When we focus on the external things around us it’s harder to be thankful.  But God never changes.  His Word is true and it always will be.

Giving thanks for the bad stuff #30DoT 30 Days of Thanksgiving | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

This post contains affiliate links.  You won’t pay any more when you use these but I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make after clicking on them and I greatly appreciate it.  Thanks for helping support my little blog!!!

Join our 30 Days of Thanksgiving email list & receive daily emails leading up to Thanksgiving Day!

“…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.” Ephesians 5:20 (NASV)

“…in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (NASV)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NASV)

[The italics are all mine.]

OK… we’re supposed to give thanks for everything but does that really mean EVERYTHING?  What about the “bad” stuff?

I thought about this several years ago when we lived in Illinois and Glenn’s dad would call from Texas and say, “Y’all are having some BAD weather up there!”  I’d say, “It’s snowing, but we’re not having any bad weather.”  The same happens when it rains.  I love the rain and miss it here in the California summers.  And we need rain… is it bad?  So I thought about some friends who are going through “bad” times.  Are they really bad or is it just how we perceive them?

Do we thank God when we lose our job, get a cut in hours or pay, lose a loved one to death or sin, get sick, or have an accident? What about cancer? Do we thank God for that? There are so many things that are really hard to be thankful for.

Joni Eareckson Tada has been inspirational to me in this area.  Talk about “bad stuff” happening to someone!  If you’ve never read her autobiography, you should.  I’d say it’s on my “must-read” list — or “listen to” list if you want to do Audible.  If you have read her first book, you know what kind of suffering she’s been through.  But listen to her now as she talks about having an attitude of gratitude!

Here are links to a few of her books that are helpful in dealing with suffering:

  • Joni (I have this one on Audible.)
  • When God Weeps:  Why Our Suffering Matters to the Almighty
  • A Place of Healing — Please note… God hasn’t healed Joni’s body.
  • Making Sense of Suffering
  • Joni & Ken:  An Untold Love Story

{{{ Join our 30 Days of Thanksgiving (30DoT) group on Facebook! }}}

Scripture Reading, Ephesians 5:20

…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father… Ephesians 5:20 (NASB)

Ephesians 5:18-20 always give thanks - 30 Days of Thanksgiving on DuctTapeAndDenim.com

All Praise to God, John Milton

Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for he is kind:
For his mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us blaze his name abroad,
For of gods he is the God:
He, with all-commanding might,
Filled the new-made world with light:
All things living he doth feed,
His full hand supplies their need:
He his chosen race did bless
In the wasteful wilderness:
Let us then with gladsome mind
Praise the Lord, for he is kind.

Homework

  • Make a list of 5 “bad things” that have happened to you this year.  Thank God for them.
  • Listen to Joni’s radio show about having an attitude of gratitude.  (Only about 3 minutes long.)

If you enjoyed this post, please share with your friends!

Giving Thanks,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | YouTube

Giving thanks for the bad stuff, Ephesians 5 20 #30DoT DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Originally published November 17, 2009


Leave a Comment

« How to Upcycle a Christmas Bell Ornament with Jute or Sisal
Black Eyed Pea Soup Recipe »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us!

 Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Etsy Google+

Search My Blog

Brightech The Top 35 DIY Blogs to Follow in 2019 Badge

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Ann Tatum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Categories

OneTag.

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in