Gratitude - Thankful For Annoyances
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In February 2000, Mozambique experienced its largest rainfall in more than fifty years. By March 2, there were an estimated 100,000 people who needed to be evacuated and around 7,000 people who were trapped in trees. One Mozambique minister named Samuel Naftal gave thanks to God and mosquitoes for saving his life. As Samuel, along with 16 other people, clung tightly to the limbs of trees for 2 days, he began to preach. All of them hoped his preaching would keep them alert to their surroundings.
“I helped some people climb onto the roof of my house, and climbed into a tree with others,” said Pastor Samuel. “We saw televisions, furniture and dead calves floating past. Everything was destroyed. The people asked me to preach to them, so that they would stay awake. Today, I thank God for the mosquitoes, because they prevented me from falling asleep and falling into the water. I would have been simply swept away.” (1)
This true story illustrates that the annoyances we experience can be exactly what we need to see God’s hand in our lives. It may be God’s way of drawing our attention away from our temporary discomfort to what’s eternal.
The Bigger Picture
We might be annoyed because we are caught up in traffic on our way to work. Perhaps we can thank God for the time He has given us to pray for a difficult work situation so that we can receive revelation on how to deal with it. Or perhaps listen to an encouraging podcast. We might get annoyed when a friend is late for an appointment. Perhaps we can thank God for friends in a world where loneliness is prevalent. Friends who are there for us. To listen to us and encourage us in our hardships. We might get annoyed when the service at a restaurant is not what we expect. Perhaps we can be thankful to God that He has provided for us so we can go out for coffee or a meal. We can be thankful that we don’t have to be on our feet for an eight-hour shift trying to appease difficult customers.
When we experience annoyances, let us be thankful to God that He sees the bigger picture. Our annoyances could be what God is using to protect us from what the enemy of our souls may be setting us up for.
(1) Peter Kennedy, Preaching Illustrations Vol. 1
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Psalm 107:21 (ESV)
Reflection:
Have you allowed annoyances in your life to get you all riled up? Ask God to show you the bigger picture so that you can thank Him for what He is doing.
Prayer:
Lord, you know the reason for the annoyance that you allow in my life. Help me see the bigger picture. Help me not to allow annoyance to cause anger and irritation to enter my heart. Instead, show me the things I need to be thankful for because of them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
