In Chapter 8 of One Thousand Gifts Ann Voskamp discovers that living her lifestyle of intentional gratitude produced an unexpected and unintentional result- a test in the trustworthiness of God. Through the process of counting her blessings she stumbled on the way out of fear. Ann reflects on what really is happening when fear and worry take control:
“Every time fear freezes and worry writhes, every time I surrender to stress, aren’t I advertising the unreliability of God? That I really don’t believe?”
That’s why our response following our downsizing or position loss is so critical. Our ability to give thanks in all circumstances not only reaps benefits for us and our loved ones, but is a tremendous witness to a watching world.
Ann continues by using bridges as a metaphor for trust:
“Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow, built with planks of thanks. Remembering frames up gratitude. Gratitude lays out the planks of trust. I can walk the planks- from known to unknown- and know: He holds.”
We indeed know Who we can count on.
