Connecting With The Heart of God (Brian Orme)

Learning to give thanks is not always so easy. During times of grief and loss, the pain threatens to squelch any hopes for a thankful heart. Grief, in its essence, seems to deliver a certain brand of beauty that is shrouded in affliction. It's in these raw times that we learn what it means to really give thanks; because living a generous life always comes at a great cost.

Being a “Christian” is wrapped up in the ability to be generous and live a content and thankful life in all circumstances. Like Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Embedded in these words is the secret of thankfulness—the secret of an overflowing life.

This passage is often misunderstood as a heroic mantra for overcoming insurmountable odds. But Paul didn't mean that he could take on any task and complete it, like passing a killer exam, or building a house, or getting that raise; Paul was speaking directly to the simple art of being thankful and being content in the highs and lows of life. The "all things" that Paul is talking about has to do with the ability to trust God during times of desparation and times of abundance. In both, we are called to connect with the heart of God.