“An attitude of gratitude creates blessings.”  Sir John Marks Templeton

How did you respond the last time something bad happened to you?

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  (Rom. 8:28, NLT)

From the book Favor, The Road to Success, by Bob Buess, comes the following from my rewrite (see the 10/22/07 Daily Gram):

“Romans 8:28 assures me that whatever happens to me today will ultimately work out for my good — even though I may not immediately understand how that could possibly be.  Therefore, I purpose to maintain an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving centered in an unwavering faith that God’s promises are more real than my perception and understanding of outward appearances.”

Boy, that sounds good on paper but pretty hard to remember, let alone do when something “bad” just happened.  Books have been written about why bad things happen to good people.  Bottom line, the books don’t have any good answers either.  Whether it was the devil himself, or God allowing it, or my own stupidity, after it has happened, it makes no difference any more.  The thing that makes all the difference in the world for the believer is that God supernaturally shows up and is now very much in the situation.

Experience shows that no matter how negative the situation, with the passage of time we can look back and see how God used the circumstances to grow us, change us, or generally improve us.  How many times have you ever heard (or said), “Wow!  I wouldn’t want to go through that ever again, but I’m sure grateful that it happened.”  

As Christians, we’re not promised a “bowl full of cherries,” but we are promised that we will be overcomers if we just keep our eyes and our trust on Jesus  (1 John 5:4, 5).

Prayer Power
Lord, please provide advisors when I am experiencing those “valley” times so that I can be reminded to keep my eyes on You knowing that “this too will pass.”  Similarly, provide advisors when I am experiencing those “mountain-top” experiences so that I will remember to give glory to the Source of all blessing.

Link of the Day
So Why Do Bad Things Happen

Blessings on you as you walk out an attitude of gratitude this day.