Refined by Fire: Embracing Thanksgiving in a Difficult Season

What if the hardest times in your life were actually the greatest opportunities for growth and gratitude? In our latest episode of the Faith Compass Podcast, we tackle this intriguing question by challenging the conventional approach to thanksgiving, particularly during life's most challenging seasons. We journey through the transformative power of gratitude, exploring biblical passages like James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5, which reveal a deeper purpose behind our struggles. Through the stories of biblical figures such as Joseph and Job, we learn how enduring trials can strengthen our faith and open our hearts to God's peace. Drawing from the wisdom of Charles Spurgeon and John Newton, we reflect on how these tough moments can deepen our reliance on divine grace.

Join us as we delve into the profound connection between faith and gratitude, a bond that transcends mere words and becomes a powerful act of faith. We discuss how figures like Paul, Hannah, and Jesus demonstrated that trials can redirect our dependence on God's strength, allowing His power to shine through our weaknesses. The importance of community support is also emphasized, with insights from Galatians 6:2 and Hebrews 10:24-25, reminding us of the role others play in our journey of faith. This Thanksgiving, whether you're surrounded by loved ones or facing trials alone, we encourage you to draw strength from God's promises and the support of those around you. Let's embrace gratitude as a testament of faith, sharing a message of hope and peace with all who need it.

Chapters

• 0:00 Gratitude in Trials and Hardship
• 7:14 Faith, Trials, and Gratitude
• 15:24 Finding Peace and Grace

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:30

Hello and welcome to the Faith Compass Podcast. I'm your host, javier, and I'm so glad you decided to join us on today's special episode. I titled this episode Refined by Fire Thanksgiving in Difficult Seasons. Thanksgiving is a season when we often focus on what we're thankful for our families, our friends and the blessings throughout the year. But today we're going to talk about something that might seem a little counterintuitive thanking God for the trials and troubles in our lives. It's not always easy to be thankful for the hard times, but the Bible reminds us that trials have a purpose. They refine us, strengthen us and draw us closer to God. Together, we're going to explore what it means to give thanks even when life is hard, and discover how gratitude in the midst of trials can transform our hearts and deepen our faith. Before we dive in, let's start with a prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together today as we explore the topic of gratitude in trials. Open our hearts and minds to your truth. Teach us to see your hand in every season of life and to trust that you are working all things for our good and your glory. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Speaker 1: 1:19

Let's begin with a verse that sets the stage for our discussion. In James, chapter 1, verses 2 through 4, we read Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Now think about that for a moment. James is telling us to count it all joy when we face trials. Joy and trials. That seems almost impossible, doesn't it? Yet the Bible assures us that these difficulties are not without purpose. God uses them to test and strengthen our faith, producing endurance and spiritual maturity. One example we see in scripture is the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph endured incredible trials, being sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused and thrown into prison. Yet through it all, he remained faithful to God. In Genesis, chapter 50, verse 20, joseph says to his brothers as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today. This reminds us that God's purposes often go beyond what we can see in the moment. The trials Joseph faced prepared him. The Apostle Paul also speaks to this truth in Romans, chapter 5, verses 3 through 5. Notice the progression here Suffering leads to endurance, endurance to character and character to hope. Paul isn't minimizing the pain of suffering, but he's showing us that God uses it to bring about growth and hope in our lives.

Speaker 1: 2:45

Let me share a quote from Charles Spurgeon, a beloved preacher, who said I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the rock of ages. What a profound statement. Spurgeon recognized that the trials of life can push us closer to God, deepening our reliance on Him and His promises. When we choose gratitude in the midst of trials, we're making a powerful statement of faith. We're declaring that we trust God's plan, even when we don't understand it, and that trust honors Him. In Psalm, chapter 50, verse 14, it says Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High. Think about the phrase a sacrifice of Thanksgiving. Sometimes being thankful feels like a sacrifice because it requires us to surrender our fears, doubts and frustrations, but when we do, we open our hearts to God's peace and presence.

Speaker 1: 3:23

Another aspect of thanking God for trials is recognizing that he is with us in the midst of them. Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 2, offers this beautiful promise when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. God's presence is our anchor. He doesn't leave us to face our trials alone. He walks with us, strengthens us and provides the grace we need to endure. This truth is echoed in the words of John Newton, the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. Newton once wrote Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

Speaker 1: 3:56

So how can we cultivate a heart of gratitude during trials? First, we must fix our eyes on God's promises. Scripture is filled with reminders of His faithfulness, his love and His power to redeem even the most difficult circumstances. Second, we can practice gratitude by reflecting on God's past faithfulness in our lives. Psalm, chapter 9, verse 1, says I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Recounting what God has already done strengthens our faith for the present. Finally, we can pray for God to help us see our trials through his perspective. Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6 and 7, encourages us Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds. In Christ Jesus. When we bring our struggles to God in prayer and thank him for his presence and provision, we open our hearts to his peace. That peace doesn't depend on our circumstances. It flows from our relationship with him.

Speaker 1: 4:45

One of the most profound examples of thanksgiving in the face of trials comes from the life of Job. Job experienced unimaginable loss. His wealth, his family and even his health were taken from him. Yet in Job, chapter 1, verse 21, we see his response. And he said Naked, I came from my mother's womb and naked shall I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Job's ability to bless the name of the Lord in the midst of his suffering reveals a heart that trusts God completely. Job understood that everything he had was ultimately from God and even in his loss, he acknowledged God's sovereignty and goodness. This perspective can be difficult for us to grasp, but it's a powerful reminder that true gratitude isn't dependent on our circumstances. It's rooted in our trust in God's character.

Speaker 1: 5:21

The Psalms also provide us with incredible insight into how we can approach trials with the heart of thanksgiving. In Psalm chapter 34, verse 1, david writes I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Notice the phrase at all times. David isn't saying to bless the Lord only when things are going well. He's committing to praise God in every season, including the challenging ones. This brings us to an important question how do we develop a faith that praises God continually? One key is to immerse ourselves in his word. The more we know about who God is and what he has promised, the more we can trust Him. In the midst of trials, as it says in Psalm 119, verse 105, god's Word illuminates our path, especially in seasons of darkness.

Speaker 1: 6:00

Let's look at another powerful testimony from the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, who endured beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks and countless other hardships, had every reason to despair. Yet he writes in Philippians 4, verses 11-13, I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound In any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Paul's contentment wasn't based on his external circumstances. It was anchored in his relationship with Christ. This is a profound lesson for us. Our gratitude and peace aren't tied to what's happening around us, but to the one who strengthens us. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian and martyr, wrote extensively about the cost of discipleship and the need to trust God amidst trials. In one of his letters from prison he stated Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. Bonhoeffer understood that Thanksgiving has the power to transform our perspective, even in the darkest moments.

Speaker 1: 6:56

Another example of faith in trials comes from Corrie Ten Boom, who survived the Nazi concentration camp. She and her sister Betsy were imprisoned for hiding Jews during World War II. In her book the Hiding Place, corrie recounts how her sister thanked God even for the fleas in their barracks. Corrie couldn't understand this at first, but later she realized that the fleas kept the guards away, allowing them to hold bible studies and share the gospel with their fellow prisoners. What a remarkable testimony to the power of thanksgiving even in the most horrific circumstances.

Speaker 1: 7:15

As we consider these examples, we're reminded that thanksgiving is an act of faith. It declares that we believe God is sovereign, that his plans are good and that he is with us in every trial. This kind of faith is not something we muster on our own. It's a gift from God. Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 8, tells us For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.

Speaker 1: 7:33

Another perspective on trials is found in 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, verses 16 through 18. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory, beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen, for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. This passage gives us hope by shifting our focus from the temporary to the eternal. The trials we face now are preparing us for something far greater the glory of eternity with God. When we keep this perspective, we can endure even the most difficult seasons with gratitude, knowing that they are not without purpose. Martin Luther once said we are not made righteous by what we do, but not made righteous by what we do, but by what we believe. This statement highlights the importance of faith in our walk with God. When we believe in his promises and trust his plan, we can face trials with a heart of thanksgiving.

Speaker 1: 8:19

One of the most humbling truths about trials is that they remind us of our dependence on God. When everything in life is going smoothly, it's easy to fall into the trap of self-sufficiency. We start to believe that we have everything under control. But trials strip away that illusion and bring us back to the reality that we are utterly reliant on God's grace and provision. This is beautifully illustrated in 2 Corinthians 12, verses 9-10, where Paul shares God's response to his plea to remove a thorn in his flesh. God said to him my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul then responds Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities, for when I am weak, then I am strong. What an incredible perspective. Paul understood that his weakness was not a liability but an opportunity for God's power to be displayed, and when we face trials we have the same opportunity. Instead of trying to carry the burden on our own, we can lean into God's strength and trust him to sustain us.

Speaker 1: 9:12

The Puritan writer Thomas Watson once wrote Affliction is God's shepherd dog to drive us back to the fold. This imagery reminds us that God allows trials not to harm us but to draw us closer to him. Like a shepherd who uses a staff to guide his sheep, god uses the hardships of life to redirect our hearts and minds toward Him. Another aspect of gratitude in trials is the witness it provides to those around us. When we choose to thank God in the midst of difficulties, we demonstrate a faith that transcends circumstances. This kind of faith is compelling and can open doors for sharing the gospel. In 1 Peter 3, verse 15, it says but in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and respect. Our hope in trials is a powerful testimony to the world. When others see us praising God despite our struggles, they may begin to wonder about the source of our strength. This creates opportunities to point them to Christ, the ultimate source of hope and peace.

Speaker 1: 10:00

We also see this principle at work in the life of Jesus himself. On the night before his crucifixion, jesus broke bread with his disciples and gave thanks, knowing full well the suffering he was about to endure. In Matthew, chapter 26, verses 26 through 28,. We read Now as they were eating, jesus took bread and, after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples and said Take, eat, this is my body. And he took a cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying no-transcript. It's about acknowledging God's sovereignty and trusting His redemptive plan, even when we don't fully understand it.

Speaker 1: 10:37

Another biblical figure who modeled this kind of faith is Hannah. In 1 Samuel, chapter 1, we read about Hannah's deep sorrow over her inability to have children. She poured out her heart to God in prayer and when he answered her by giving her a son, she responded with a song of thanksgiving. In 1 Samuel, chapter 2, verse 1, she said my heart exalts in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. Hannah's story reminds us that God hears our prayers and is faithful to answer them in his timing and according to his will. Her gratitude was rooted in her recognition of God's goodness and power, and it serves as an example for us to follow.

Speaker 1: 11:08

When we talk about thanksgiving and trials, it's also important to mention the role of community. God often uses fellow believers to encourage and support us during difficult seasons. In Galatians 6, verse 2, paul writes Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Sharing our struggles with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ can remind us that we are not alone and that God works through his people to provide comfort and strength. In Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 24 through 25, we're encouraged to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. When we gather with other believers, whether in worship, prayer or fellowship, we are reminded of God's faithfulness and are strengthened in our faith.

Speaker 1: 11:46

Let's also consider the eternal perspective. On trials, paul writes in Romans, chapter 8, verse 18, for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. This verse challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and focus on the eternal rewards that await us in Christ. When we keep our eyes fixed on eternity, our trials take on new meaning and purpose. This eternal perspective is echoed in the words of Jonathan Edwards, who said Heaven is a world of love. Edwards reminds us that, no matter how difficult our earthly trials may be, they are temporary and they pale in comparison to the glory and joy of being in God's presence forever.

Speaker 1: 12:18

Another crucial aspect of trials is the way they shape our character and make us more like Christ. God doesn't allow us to walk through hardships without purpose. Instead, he uses them as tools to refine us. This truth is beautifully articulated in Hebrews 12, verses 10-11. For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. The discipline of trials is never easy, but it leads to a harvest of righteousness and peace. God is more concerned with our holiness than our comfort, and through trials he molds us into the image of his Son. This refining process may be painful, but it is always for our ultimate good and his glory.

Speaker 1: 12:56

Charles Spurgeon once said Trials teach us what we are. They dig up the soil and let us see what we are made of. This is such a powerful perspective. Trials reveal our weaknesses, but they also reveal the strength of God's grace working within us. When we face challenges with faith and thanksgiving, we allow God to work in us and through us in ways that wouldn't be possible otherwise. It's also worth noting that trials often deepen our relationship with God. When life is smooth, we may not feel the same urgency to seek Him, but in seasons of difficulty, we are drawn to Him in prayer, worship and dependence.

Speaker 1: 13:22

Psalm chapter 50, verse 15, captures this beautifully Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. Through trials, god invites us into deeper intimacy with him. He assures us of his presence and reminds us that he is our refuge and strength. As we draw near to him, we experience his peace that surpasses all understanding and are filled with the hope that only he can provide. We also see this dynamic at work in the book of Lamentations, written during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history. Lamentations is a raw and honest expression of grief and despair. Yet in the midst of this sorrow there is a profound decoration of hope. Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22-23, proclaim the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, even in the depths of suffering. The author of Lamentations chooses to focus on God's steadfast love and faithfulness. This is a powerful reminder that, no matter how difficult our trials may be, god's mercies are new every morning and His love never fails.

Speaker 1: 14:12

Let's return to the idea of thanksgiving as an act of worship. When we thank God for trials, we acknowledge His sovereignty, goodness and faithfulness. We declare that we trust Him, even when we don't understand His ways. This kind of thanksgiving brings glory to God and transforms our hearts in the process. Let's also remember the ultimate example of thanksgiving in trials Jesus on the cross. He bore the weight of our sins, enduring unimaginable suffering out of love for us. Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 2 reminds us Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross. No-transcript. Jesus endured the cross with joy because he knew the ultimate purpose of his suffering was for our salvation and grace. When we face trials. We can follow his example by looking beyond our immediate pain to the eternal glory that awaits us. We can trust that God is working all things for our good, as Romans, chapter 8, verse 28, assures us, and we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.

Speaker 1: 15:04

Let's close with a prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that you are with us in every trial. Thank you for using hardships to refine us, draw us closer to you and shape us into the image of your Son. Help us to trust in your sovereignty and to give thanks in all circumstances. Teach us to see our trials as opportunities to grow in faith and to glorify you. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.

Speaker 1: 15:24

Thank you for joining me on this episode of the Faith Compass Podcast. I hope today's discussion has encouraged you to see trials through the lens of faith and gratitude. Remember God's grace is sufficient for every challenge you face and he is using each one to draw you closer to Him. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, take a moment to thank God not only for our blessings, but also for the trials that have shaped our faith and deepened our walk with Him. If this episode resonated with you, feel free to share it with someone who might need a little encouragement.

Speaker 1: 15:44

Today, here at the Crossroads Collective Ministries, the home of the Faith Compass Podcast and the Faithful Geek Podcast shows, we want to remind you that if you're feeling deeply troubled during this holiday season, please reach out to your local church, a family member or a fellow brother or sister in faith. Support is also available outside the church community. You can call the 988-SUICIDE and CRISIS Lifeline by dialing 988. Additionally, you can text the word HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line. Remember you are not alone and help is available. Christ is here, waiting with open arms to give you peace and grace always. May God bless you all. Thank you.