If I praise God when the sun is shining and all is right in my world, how is that a sacrifice? However, if I praise God when life is cruel and crummy, then I maybe I am making a sacrifice. I'm choosing to worship in faith instead of going with my natural inclination to complain.
Joni Eareckson (Tada) experienced "a sacrifice of praise" after a diving accident left her a quadriplegic. Up until the accident, she had been an excellent athlete and very active person. Now she stewed in bitterness because she couldn't understand why God allowed the accident to occur. A friend read to her from I Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." He then said, "Joni, it's about time you got around to giving thanks in that wheelchair of yours."Joni retorted, "But I don't feel thankful," to which the friend responded, "The verse doesn't say 'feel thankful.' It says 'give thanks.' There's a big difference."
Joni gritted her teeth and with tears found things to thank God for. And that was a turning point for her. The practice of thanksgiving began to change her until she eventually was able to feel and express gratitude.
It is humbling for me to look at her website and to see what Joni has been able to accomplish from within the confines of her wheelchair. She truly has learned how to make "the sacrifice of praise," and most of us could learn a lot from her. If you're someone who struggles with chronic pain or depression, I highly recommend her resources (http://www.joniandfriends.org/blog/pain-and-depression/).
