TRENCH WARFARE

My last post, almost a week ago, was about the daily struggle I have to practice thankfulness instead of ingratitude. I wish I could say that, having identified the battle and having considered my circumstances in light of Scripture, SHAZAM!, I am now instantly, completely, and unceasingly thankful.

I'm not.

This is a daily, ongoing battle.

I was confiding to a friend earlier this week some of the frustrations I'm currently dealing with. There are so many things I just want "fixed" - made right, given closure, checked off so that I don't have to deal with them any longer. But, no. These nagging trials persist, day after day after day. And I am just so tired of them, so very weary, so on the brink of giving up, checking out, and just not caring any more.

My sweet young friend - because she is also my sister in Christ - just shook her head and smiled: "Camille, pray. Stop complaining and pray."

Now, if my friend wasn't also in the trenches, fighting hard for a heart of gratitude in the midst of soul-sucking difficulties, her words would have been meaningless to me. Trite. Easily dismissed. But truth is, she's right here with me, battered and bruised and praying desperately that God will give her the grace she needs for one more day.

Our conversation brought to mind a Scripture passage I memorized as a child: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Monday afternoon, my friend and I prayed. Today, Wednesday, we are both still in the trenches - we may be barely standing, but we're still here. Our perseverance is a testimony not to our own strength or faith, but to God's faithfulness.

Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for friends in the trenches. Thank you for reminding me to pray. And thank you for one more day to learn how much I have to be thankful for!