Reframing Gratitude

My life group leader recently shared a story about how he reframed washing dishes as something he GETS to do versus something he HAS to do. That change in his mindset helped him approach it differently. It reminded me of the note Matthew Henry, who wrote a Bible Commentary, shared in his journal after he was robbed. He said, “Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my [possessions], they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.” He reframed a bad situation through gratefulness and his perspective changed.

I don’t know of many other people who sustained long term difficulties more than Joseph. His story is found throughout Genesis 37-50. When he was a teen, his brothers hated him, beat him and sold him as a slave while telling their father he was dead. He was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown in prison. There he was able to interpret the dreams for two of Pharaoh’s attendants, but the one who lived didn’t tell anyone. For 13 years he was in a foreign land and forgotten with a shattered dream. However, God raised him to power in Egypt and he fulfilled his destiny. As he was dying, his brothers were scared. His reply in Genesis 50:20 shows how he had reframed things with a grateful heart. He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (NLT).

1Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Notice that it doesn’t say to be thankful FOR all circumstances, but rather IN all circumstances. Reframing our circumstances is about keeping our eyes on Jesus who remains faithful in them. Reframing doesn’t erase our hardship. Instead it helps us interpret them to see what God is doing. The enemy wants you to frame them as what was taken from you, but gratitude helps you see what God has preserved in you and what He can accomplish through any situation. If God can preserve a nation through Joseph’s trials, imagine what He can do through yours. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Today ask the Holy Spirit to use gratitude to reframe your testimony.

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash