Job 1:20-22 – At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (NIV)

A few months back, I was working on a possible breakthrough to help me change professions, but it failed. I was broken, unhappy, and in my despair, I told my uncle, "I feel God is blocking my way." My uncle gently rebuked me before encouraging me that I should be grateful to God in bad times instead of complaining.

Listening to what he said brought the picture of Job to my mind. In one day, he lost all his belongings and his beloved children. In the midst of all this, Job never opened his mouth to say, "God is blocking my way" or "God is wicked." No, not at all! All he did at that moment was to fall to the ground in total humility and submission, and there he worshipped God.

I felt so ashamed at that moment. Had I gone through a quarter of Job's tribulations? Had I reached the level where I lost everyone dear to me, or the level where everyone praising me abandons me, and friends turn to accusers? And I had the audacity to say that God is blocking my way! I had to ask God for forgiveness at that moment.

Then, I started to praise God for all the things He has done, and I discovered that once we begin to praise instead of complain, we find reasons to be grateful, even in the darkest of times.

My dear friends, Job is a biblical example of how we should react in the worst situations. Let us remember what the Scriptures say:

Romans 15:4 – For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (KJV)

God expects gratefulness from us at all times. Gratefulness brings strength; it brings peace of mind; it brings recovery and restoration; and best of all, it brings a deeper understanding of God and a deepening of our relationship with Him.

So, no matter how bad your situations seem to be, or if it looks like there is no way out, or you feel that you always pray before you take a step but it doesn't always seem to work out, don't curse, accuse, or blame God. Just be grateful and praise Him. Appreciation is an application for more! Praise Him and see what else He will do!

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV)

Prayer: Lord, help us to be up and grateful even in the darkest of times. Amen.