When I first saw the statement Gratitude=faith, it did not compute. But as I got thinking about it I realized something. When we are going through a struggle and we express to our thankfulnes to God beacuse we know we are going to grow and learn from this, we are building our faith on things we hope for but cannot see. We are able to see that things are not happening TO us, they are happening For us. We see purpose in our trial and know that we are walking this path with our Savior.
I want to share a story with you that happened on Christmas Eve of 2006. Our Ward Family received some devastating news. The Ceran’s, a beloved family in our ward, were driving home from a cast party for Hale Center Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol. Their car had been hit by a drunk driver and as a result, their mother, sister and brother were killed leaving the father and the son, and one older sister who was not in the accident, as the sole survivors of their beautiful family. As ward members we knew that they had already lost 5 children previously: 3 children under the age of two due to a malignant brain tumor and twins at birth. This family had gone through so much already. What would they be needing? What would they be feeling? How could we help?
Our Ward Family’s lives will never be the same as we watched the Father and the Son go through this trial with such grace. They forever changed us for the better. I am touched and amazed by a few things Caleb, the son, said after the accident:
“I am grateful that my older brother, Ian, got to see one of his best friends in a store, and he got to talk to him, and then he saw one of his other best friends in a ballet performance.”
“I feel like those people beyond the veil are guiding me.”
“There is no way my mom could have handled losing 2 more of her children. I can’t think of a better Christmas present for her than to see her children again.”
I am astounded by his GRATITUDE. I am also amazed that at an early age, Caleb naturally knew how to look at a difficult or even seemingly impossible situation and turn it around so he could see the good in amidst the tragedy.
Take a close look at this scripture:
“And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. Alma 7:23
When I read this I see that we may receive tough times in our life. We may feel beaten down, but, WHATEVER it is that happens we can look for the good. We can receive these situations with grace just like Caleb.
In some quiet way. The expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing nature. Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike. –Robert D Hales
Grab and pen and paper and try this Find and Flip Tool
- Grab and pen and paper. Find and Flip Tool
- Draw a line down the center of your paper
- On the LEFT write down something you are struggling with or being challenged by
- On the RIGHT list 3 things (or 4 if you want to answer all of the questions):
- Why are you grateful as you are going through this?
- What are you learning from it?
- How are you changing because of it?
- What do you hope to gain from it?
“To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow.” Russell M Nelson
When we see that our challenges are here to help us grow. Our challenges become purposeful. They become blessings to us. That we may be able to receive, “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called treesof righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
Permission to Love 