Senseless Thanks in the Valley
Thursday, February 8
Senseless Thanks in the Valley
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20
The valleys of life are not void of reasons to be grateful; they just require a different kind of seeing which leads to a different kind of praise. It’s in the valley that we discover the resilience of our spirit, the strength that emerges when external crutches are stripped away. Senseless thanks invites us to recognize the lessons in adversity, the unexpected gifts that bloom in the midst of trials.
This leads us to understand the words penned by Peter near the beginning of his New Testament letter: “Now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, always so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes be like though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). One author summarizes it this way ‘Of all of the words that he could use to describe what God is doing now, he selects these three: grieved, trials, and tested.’
While it might seem senseless to thank in moments of confusion or pain, it is precisely in those moments that our gratitude deepens. It becomes an acknowledgment that there’s a narrative beyond our comprehension, a grander design unfolding in the tapestry of our lives.
Trust God and continue to hold onto His unchanging hand. As we navigate the valleys, may our gratitude transform into an unwavering trust. Let it be a beacon of light, dispelling the shadows of doubt. In giving thanks senselessly, may we find a deeper connection with You, understanding that Your ways are higher than our ways.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, in the valleys of our lives where clarity eludes us, teach us the language of senseless thanks.