Thankful Thursdays #43: the bad stuff

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Last year I made a resolution to find something to be thankful for every day until next Thanksgiving.  I have been documenting my daily thanksgivings weekly for 43 weeks, and have realized that most all of them are based on something good that happens each day.  This is logical and there is certainly nothing wrong with that, in fact I’d say there’s a whole lot right in it, but I’ve been considering the Bible verse about giving thanks in everything.  That means being thankful not only for the good things but for everything.  Even the bad.

Easier said than done, but as my preacher says, happiness and joy are a choice.  When we are faced with adversity, challenges, trials and tribulations, we can choose the way we react and can either be miserable or rejoice and be thankful in the midst of it.  So this week I decided I was going to apply this scripture in the opposite way that I have been, finding something “bad” to be thankful for every day.  Something that is a burden, a trial, a problem.  And find a reason to be thankful for it.  Here goes…

Thursday: that I’m a diabetic. Ten years ago this month, I was laying in a bed in intensive care, newly diagnosed and learning how to give myself insulin shots and care for myself.  There are so many things that I’m thankful for concerning this disease!   For the modern medicine that not only saved my life, but has allowed me to live a fairly normal existence.  For the teeny tiny needles that have shrunk even smaller just in the last ten years, making insulin injections virtually painless.  For the blood sugar meter that helps me keep my blood sugar in a normal range and will thus prolong my life.  For health insurance that brings the significant cost of diabetic supplies to a manageable level.  That I’m more concerned with my health because of my diabetes, and that I have to see a doctor quarterly because of it, keeping me more on top of my over-all health than I might be otherwise.

Friday: for my parents.  Truth be told, they are quite a trial for me, and I often react badly to it and and become angry, upset, and frustrated.  But I thank God for them because they bore me, they raised me, and they love me.  They made sacrifices for me, provided for me, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.  And I hope it doesn’t sound conceited to say I’m kinda happy with the person I am, though I do have to give God the glory for that.  I would be much more of a mess without His intervention.  :)  Anyway, I really need to keep this thankfulness for my parents in mind each time I see them, along with the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). :)

Saturday:  for our tiny house.   I may have to get very creative when it comes to storage, but these walls and roof protect us from the elements and keep us safe, and that is all we need.

Sunday:  For disagreements with bretheren, because through them I study the Bible deeper, grow in knowledge, and my faith is renewed and strengthened.  Those disagreements can also lead to stronger friendships!

Monday: for my physical flaws.  I may not like them, but they keep me humble.  Honestly, I could be very vain if I didn’t have so many (extra “cushion,” mustache & chin hairs (HATE!), acne, spider veins, under-eye circles, just to name a few!).  I don’t want to be so humbled that I can’t look people in the eye because I’m fearing their judgment of my appearance, and thankfully I’ve moved past that, but I also don’t want to think too highly of my appearance when there are more important things to concern myself with.  My flaws help me stay balanced! lol

Tuesday:  My job.  Actually, I never think of my job as a negative thing, but I was talking to a co-worker who was grumbling about the injustice we suffer, how it’s not an enjoyable job, and although I could see his point, I can honestly say I have succeeded in rejoicing and giving thanks when it comes to my job.  I choose to focus on the positive, which in my opinion greatly outweighs the negative, and so I feel happy to work there, even if there are things happening weekly that I do not agree with.  Hey, I have a job, and it’s an easy one that pays well, has good benefits, and I get to listen to books & music while I do it.  How can I complain?

Wednesday: That I really had to struggle to come up with a list of seven bad things in my life!!  Thank God for my simple, wonderful life!!

What is bad in your life that you can be thankful for?