No matter where you turn you see it. You can turn on the news, scroll through social media, or simply walk down the street, and it’s easy to see pain, strife, and hardship all around. Wars are happening, political divides are tearing apart families and friends, people are in conflict, struggling with health issues, dealing with relationship problems, financial strain, mental illness, and so much more. We live in a broken world where there is a lot of hurt.
With so much brokenness around us, it can be hard to to think about being thankful. It is hard to embrace a spirit of gratitude. But there is always hope. So how can we, as ministers and believers, create and foster a time of thankfulness and gratitude in a broken world? Here are some tips.
Remember True Hope
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” – Psalm 107:8-9
Hope starts with God. Hope continues with Jesus and what He did on the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection means our sins are forgiven, and we have assurance of eternal life with God. This is the foundation of real hope. It never changes and can guide us. No matter what happens here on earth, believers know our true home is in heaven.
As ministers and believers remind people that true hope is found in the love, grace and forgiveness of God. Nothing else can replace that hope.
WHILE YOU SEEK GOD DAILY AND OFFER THE HOPE OF CHRIST, USE THESE DIGITAL TOOLS TO EXPAND YOUR EFFECTIVENESS AS A MINISTER AND BELIEVER.
It can be easy to forget where our hope comes from. As ministers and believers it's important to remind people that our hope comes from Christ. Click To TweetServe and Help Others
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Jesus is our example in some many ways. Here is another example. Jesus didn’t have to come and serve others. But, He did. It is through His great love for us that He did this. And it is through Christ’s love that we are compelled us to serve and help others. This is true even when we are going though tough times ourselves. When we go through difficult seasons, it remind us how dependent we are on God. As Christians, we rely on His strength to persevere and let go of self-sufficiency. Our trials allow us to develop greater empathy for those in pain. It helps us carry one another’s burdens.
As ministers and believers encourage people to be serving. Encourage them to help take the focus off of themselves and put it into helping others around them.
Conclusion
God promises to work in our lives, even during life’s darkest moments, for our growth and good. Though we cannot always see it at the time, we trust God’s power and redemption. With this eternal perspective, believers can have hope beyond our temporary circumstances. As ministers we need to encourage people to be thankful in all circumstances. Though the world is broken, God’s light shines brightest in that brokenness. Share His hope with grace, empathy, and giving hearts to others an hopefully, our gratitude and thankful attitude will reveal to us what Jesus has already done.
Before you finish reading this post, write down a quick action plan. How else can ministers get to know people in their Church? Share them below or on social media.
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