Gratefulness: What are you thankful for today?

Today, I am thankful for pain and suffering. WHAT?! Before you think I have lost my marbles, hold on a moment.

Years ago, I read the book, The Gift of Pain, by Dr. Paul Brand. It changed my view of pain. (No, I still do not like being in pain.) In the book, Dr. Brand explains what life would be without pain. We would further injure ourselves. The pain stops us and alerts us of an issue.

Why am I thankful for suffering? Maybe a better way to say it is that I am thankful for how God uses the suffering and turns it around for good. Romans 5:3-5, “³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Psalm 55:19, “¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.”

Also, see Psalm 119:67-76.

So, while I do not like, desire, or relish pain, I am thankful for what God does and how He uses it.

Daring Devotion Thoughts from Day 28: Mark 10:29-30, “²⁹ And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, ³⁰ But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

Our faithful saint today gave up everything for Jesus. William Borden was famous from a young age. He was a wealthy heir that went to Princeton and Yale and also served on many important boards. Borden could have done or been anything he wanted and allowed his fame to grow.

However, he decided to go to a remote mission field instead. As he traveled to various churches before he left, he is quoted as saying, “If ten men are carrying a log – nine of them on the little end and one at the heavy end – and you want to help, which end will you lift on?” He gave up easier assignments in the states to go where there was no one to preach the gospel.

God had other plans. While in training in Egypt on the way to the mission field, he succumbed to cerebral meningitis. However, his death was not wasted as God used it to inspire many new missionaries to go tell in remote places. His testimony continues to inspire Christians today. God used his faithfulness and dedication even though he never reached the mission field.