Becoming a thankful Job; when things are falling apart

It is November. The thankful month, but what if you have nothing to thank God for?

My falling apart

My life feels like it has been in shambles the last few years. We moved out of the house I had lived in throughout high school. We moved to an awesome house in the middle of nowhere. Then we found out that the house didn't have a septic tank and everything was backing up. Luckily we were only renting, but that meant we had to move right back out. 

With nowhere to go we spent a week at my grandma's house, while we looked for a new place to live. My mom found an apartment, but my sister and I couldn't move in with them. Which is fine in the fact that we are adults, with good jobs, but sad in the fact that we still would had nowhere to go.

Job's life falling apart

This stories reminds me of Job from the Bible. Job was blessed, he had great wealth, a large family, and literally God's blessing.

One day the angels and Satan came before God. God and Satan had an exchange. This led to Satan being allowed to take everything from Job except his body and health.

Wealth gone. Family, gone, except his wife. Servants, mostly gone, except the few who brought word of these trials. 

Do you know what Job did? 

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. - Job 1:20-22

May the Name of the Lord be praised! What great faith. 

A Christians fight mode should start with praise and prayer.

What a great example. I wish I could tell you that I was as good of an example through my trials. But I didn't even come close.

Falling into Place

My parents took that apartment. The landlord had an apartment across the hall for rent. So we stayed with my parents for a month, while he finished getting the apartment ready. 

That was the beginning. I know that what I felt was horrible at the time, moved me closer to where God wants me. My trials are far from over, but lucky for me I am learning to Praise God throughout. It isn't easy, I fail at it all the time, especially when I don't see God moving on my timetable.

God's timing is never our own, and his plan isn't always what we want. Even Jesus dealt with this.

Have you come through great trials and testings? I would love to hear about how God used those moments to help you grow. If he blessed you even more afterward, I would love to hear that as well. Maybe it will help my faith grow.

If you are looking for what to praise God for, check out my post from last week. 

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November 23 - 27

November 23 - I am thankful for rest. I spent the entire day sleeping. I slept in, got up and watched tv, only to fall asleep yet again. I basically did nothing and it felt good.

November 24 - My pew buddy. Okay I don't sit with many people but every since this lady and her husband started coming I feel so connected to her. She is God given to our church. She truly has a heart full of God's love and she gives it freely. I only hope I can learn from her.

November 25 - A youth group that likes each other and is willing to help others out. We spent the afternoon together and delivered Thanksgiving baskets. It was a good day.

November 26 - A good oulook and attitude at work. My positive outlook and attitude help me push on while I am at work. This is God given, and without him I wouldn't be able to do what I do, or deal with what I deal with. Praise God for always being with me.

November 27 - My desire to learn new things. Today I take on apple pie, and I think I'm ready for the challenge.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for being with me, and giving me people who care for me.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 18 - 22

November 18 - I am thankful for the food God has provided me. I went grocery shopping and thank God for his helping hand in this area.

November 19 - I am thankful for a peaceful day. My co-worker was out of the office but everything ran smoothly.

November 20 - I am thankful for Valleys because our valleys make us more compassionate toward others during their valleys.

November 21 - I am thankful for Mountains because from the mountain we can see where we have been, and the lessons we have learned.

November 22 - I am thankful for worship music, singers, and the feeling you get when you commune with the Father through the Holy Spirit. It may not always be so specatcular but it is always necessary.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for your presence, and the ability to commune with you and worship you in Spirit and Truth. May your grace prevaile in my life everyday.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 14 - 17

November 14 - I am thankful for vision. Without vision a man will die. Without vision an organization will die. I am thankful for the glimpse that God gives to give his children vision.

November 15 - I am thankful for friends. Friends who  are fun to hang out with, and who I can be myself around.

November 16 - I am thankful for my niece. Despite not feeling well I got to spend some time playing: hide n go seek; thumbs up 7 up; I spy, monopoly; and keep away. It was truly a blessing.

November 17 - I am truly thankful for grace. On a day where I don't feel well and I've been fighting doubt, fear, and hatred of self. I am thankful for the love and forgiveness that I  so need.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all your blessings. Thank you for you grace and forgiveness. Most of all thank you for your love, that I do not deserve. Please continue to guide me despite my failures.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 10 - 13

November 10 - I am thankful for a church family that understands be rejoice with those who are rejoicing and mourn with those who are in mourning. In doing so we show the love and compassion of Christ.

November 11 - I am thankful for the veterans who put their life on the line for my freedom. I pray for the families whose loved ones never came back, and praise God for being with my family who have been in the armed forces.

November 12 - I am thankful for God's moving in my church. He is truly opening doors for workers.

November 13 - I am thankful for christian music. Christian music is so encouraging and God uses it to speak to me. When I need encouragement I can find it in the songs I surround myself with.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for always being someone I can lean on. I also praise you for using scripture and music to speak to my soul. I thank you for the workers in the church.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Two falling leafs and an awesome service.

What do two falling leafs and an amazing church service have in common? They are proof that God is moving. When someone asks how do you know there is a God. A common response is I feel him around me, I feel him in the wind as it blows. See God created the  wind, and even when we can't see it we know it is there.

Well today in service we sure felt God, and his love. In Romans we are reminded to rejoice with those who are rejoiceing and we should mourn with those who are mourning. That is how the service started. A newer family requested prayer for a very sad situation. I know because I could feel the sadness in their voice my heart ached for a healing in this area of their lives.

As the service moved forward into people singing specials a song came up that touched the whole congregation. Prayers and time spent with this family reminded us the God's love heals, and there are times where that healing comes through God's people.

We know that Jesus was a compassionate person because of Jesus' ministry. In Matthew 4:23 we read "Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. "

I use the Life Application Bible and it has note in it that says "Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects of his ministry. Teaching shows Jesus' concern for understanding, preaching shows his concern for commitment; and healing shows his concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing authenticated his teaching and preaching, proving that he truly was from God. "

Jesus' compassion can be seen in his healing the people from disease and sickness. Today his compassion is seen through his people. I praise God that he choices to work through his people.

November 8-9

November 8 - I am thankful for my coworker. My cowoker took the week off. Praise God things were slow, and she was able to get some rest and much needed relaxation. With that said, I will ever be excited to see her Monday.

November 9 - I am thankful that God provides for my every need. Sometimes giving me more than enough and allowing me to bless others.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have blessed me with so much. I am thankful I have a coworker to share the load with. I also praise you for your provisions in my life. You always provide my needs, some of my wants and even allow me to bless others.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 4-7

November 4 - I am thankful for my church family. The people who I can go to when I need prayer, or encouragment, or just a friendly face to listen. They are great.

November 5 - I am thankful for my parent who love me. They have sacrificed things for me. They have taught me so much, and they continue to give me grace.

November 6 - I am thankful for slow times at work. Currently my coworker is on vacation. While she ks gone I pray she is able to relax and enjoy herself. I am oh so thankful that we are not to busy and I am keeping up.

November 7 - I am thankful for the way God works things out.  In Bible Study after my sister took over we were discussing our next study. One of the newer members mentioned the writings of Paul. We thought a history on Paul was a good idea, so we started studying Acts. Our church is working on an outreach plan. Everywhere we look in Acts we are given great examples, and patterns we can learn from.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for all your doing in my life, and all you have given me. You truly bless beyond measure.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 3 - My spot

Today has been a really bad day, so I am trying really hard to find something, just one thing to be thankful. So today I am thankful for the corner seat on my sectional couch. In those moment when I just to be held, God meets me in that spot.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I praise you for that spot. The one where it almost feels like your arms are around me. I thank you for that because I really needed it today.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 2 - My Sister

Day 2, I am thankful for my sister. There are times we get on each other's nerves, but I really don't know where I would be without her. She is funny, and hard working. On some occassions she is my compass who points me back to God.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for my sister. There is no doubt you knew what you were doing when you paired us together. I thank you for how strong she is and how dedicated she is to you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

November 1 - Second Chances

Today is the first day of the 30 days of thanks challenge. I am going to try this, no problems and no stress. So if I fail please forgive me, as I must forgive myself.

Today I am thankful for second chances. Without second changes I would not be here. Actually without hundreds of chances I would not be here. So the grace of God truly has been my biggest blessing this year.

Dear Lord,

I am ever so thankful for the chances you give me to change into the person you want me to be. I also thank you for your forgiveness, when I fall.

In Jesus Name,
Amen