There are so many things that I’m thankful for. I could list the usual: family, friends, warm fuzzy slippers and coffee… but those things seem so shallow to me now. Not because they aren’t important, because even the smallest of things is important to God, but because they are all really a fleshly desire and my focus has shifted greatly over the past month.

As I sat asking myself why I’m thankful, a flood of thoughts came to my mind. I have seen people faced with terrible circumstances who have become bitter in the process, and I have seen others rise above their challenges and become a light and a source of hope to the world around them. Which am I?  Which are you?

Having recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I have gone throughout a full range of emotions from denial to pain to anger to peace.  It was a shocking blow to my life and something that I never saw coming. I have had to adjust the way I do even the simplest of things as walking and motor skills have become a challenge.

So the questions that I’ve asked myself have been simple. If I didn’t have one single family member to stand by me at this time, could I be thankful? If I didn’t have one friend to call on for encouragement, could I be thankful? If I didn’t have my warm fuzzy slippers to bring a feeling of comfort to my body, could I be thankful? And God forbid, if I didn’t have my morning coffee, could i be thankful? I’m sure you could ask your own questions here too.

I have learned to be thankful in all circumstances. To look this disease of MS square in the eyes and say, “I am not defeated because of you and I will thank God every day for simply a new day.” And just as Paul stated when asking God to remove the infirmity in his body… God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

We will never understand God. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. But one thing I do know, He is always doing good toward those who love Him. There is no amount of study, meditation or prayer that will put us on the same level as Him and give us that inside view into the why’s of His sovereign plan.

It’s time to stop questioning God as to why you are going through the storm you are currently facing and determine to be thankful as you go through.  You can be thankful even in the most horrible of circumstances, but it’s a choice. And you can make that choice today.  You can stand up and say, “I refuse to be defeated by this trial I am facing.”  You can climb that mountain. You can scale that wall.  You can annihilate the enemy. You can endure to the end.

You are not alone. God is by your side and He said that He will never leave you or forsake you.  Do you believe that? Then say this along with me… I’m thankful that God has chosen me to go through this difficult time in my life. I’m thankful for my weakness. I’m thankful for the difficulties. I’m thankful for the storm… because when I am weak, then I am strong!