Gratitude is Worship with CAIN
Start small in expressing God’s love to the world
Sometimes it feels like the world we live in is getting darker every single day. In an interview Family Life Radio asked CAIN, a contemporary Christian trio, “How are you finding Jesus through the darkness and pain in our culture today?”
The group agreed we can find hope and peace by focusing on gratitude. Madison said, “There was a period of time where I was on Instagram a lot, and everyone was posting silent violence. And you feel like you have to somehow get involved, and then you need to look at Scripture. But, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me my place is to tend to my garden.”
As Madison began to tend to her own “garden,” focusing on her family and community rather than trying to have a stance on everything in the world, she began to experience a sense of peace amidst the chaos. Madison shared, this how “I can learn and be better. And even though the world is getting darker, this is what I’m called to.”
In the book of Hebrews, the author reminds us to “offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15 NIV). Gratitude is a powerful tool for finding peace and hope during dark times. By looking for God’s goodness and expressing gratitude to Him in our daily lives, we can cultivate a heart of worship and thanksgiving. And in that worship, we find Jesus, who can help us overcome the hardship of today’s culture.
Similarly, Logan emphasized the importance of starting small and focusing on our own neighborhoods and the most vulnerable and marginalized. “It’s so easy to want to tell the world in reverse, from outer space. In the darkest of times the people that suffer the most are like the marginalized, the vulnerable, the weak and the without,” Logan said. “That’s where my heart goes. If I worry about myself and the darkness, I’m just going to continue to go deeper into that darkness. But when I start thinking about the things I can be thankful for or the people that don’t have even what I have, the darkness feels less dark. I feel like it’s easier to look to Jesus in moments like that.”
In Colossians 3:15-17, Paul writes, “Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him” (CEV).
Gratitude is not just a feeling, but a way of life. We are called to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and to be thankful in all circumstances. We are also called to teach and admonish one another with wisdom and to sing to God with gratitude in our hearts.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank Him. Jesus responds, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, NIV). Luke shared this story to illustrate importance of expressing gratitude to God for His blessings.
Logan’s words are a great reminder to us that we should start small and tend to the marginalized and vulnerable in our own neighborhoods. This is a great way to express gratitude to God by helping others.
In the book of James, the author writes, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV). This passage reminds us that all of the blessings in our lives come from God and that we should be grateful for His provision.
Madison shared that she felt called to focus on her own life and community rather than trying to have a stance on everything in the world. She says, “When you really look at the friends in your life, the people at your grocery store, the people at your church, it’s all so much more manageable than the world at large or having a stance.”
In the book of 1 Chronicles, David prays, “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, NIV). Everything we have comes from God and we should be grateful for His provision.
Logan emphasizes the importance of focusing on the most vulnerable and marginalized in our communities. He says, “The people that suffer the most in the dark times are like the marginalized, like the vulnerable, the weak, the without.” By focusing on those in need, we are showing God’s love to the world and expressing gratitude for His provision in our own lives.
Gratitude is not just a tool for finding peace and comfort in difficult times, it is also a way of expressing our faith and love for God. In Psalm 107:1, the psalmist writes, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (NIV). Because God’s love is eternal, unending and undeserved, we should give thanks to Him for all that He has done for us.
Want more? Check out our on demand resources
—–
Family Life Radio is listener supported. Those who listen give to make the music and content possible to shine God’s love, peace and encouragement into hearts, revealing truths that direct people in the way they should go.
If you feel led to give a gift today to help others draw strength, gain wisdom and experience peace through Family Life Radio click here.