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“Mark Alan Williams is one of the best Christian bloggers, especially on sensitive subjects”

-Jason Holland Director of Operations Joshua Nations

“Loving your biblical responses. So much counseling is a chasing after wind, yours offers such a scriptural bridge.”

-Mike Kellogg 

Former host of Music Thru the Night, Moody Radio network and National Religious Broadcasters

Hall of Fame Award winner

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Intro

Updated: Mar 26, 2019

for every burden, every trial, and every heartache.

Someday, when this life is over, Christians will be in the presence of Jesus Christ, our Savior; and we will thank Him for every burden, trial and heartache. We will see Him face to face and every difficulty will fade in the light of His glory.


This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.



Knowing that someday I will be with Jesus and thank Him for every burden, trial and heartache gives me encouragement. He uses difficulties to grow faith but, occasionally I feel depressed about trials. Sometimes, I experience fear and worry while at other times I complain about my problems.


But, when I feel this way, I continue to communicate with Him. I respectfully let Him know when things are painful, and I express my feelings to Him. Then I ask Him for strength and reaffirm my faith that though I don’t understand how, I believe He will bring good out of everything. He renews my hope and someday, in His presence, I will thank Him for every burden, trial and heartache.


“Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining; Thy fate is the common fate of all, Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary.”

The Rainy Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Everyone has their share of rainy days and it seems counterintuitive to think that someday we will thank the Lord for them.


After all, pain and suffering are unpleasant. But, someday when this life is finished and we are in the presence of our Savior, we will thank Him for every affliction, hardship, trial and painful experience.

Truthfully, I don’t usually react to trials with gratitude, but instead with fear, worry and complaining.


But, Christians have the help of the Holy Spirit, so we can respond to trials in the following Biblical ways.


1. We can choose joy and faith instead of fear.

We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to thank the Lord. We can thank Him today for the “eternal glory” that our present trials are achieving for us.


2 Corinthians 4:17 says it all, For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (NIV)


The Bible tells us that God is using every burden, trial and heartache to develop and grow our faith and endurance.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NLT)


God is wise and in control, therefore we can trust Him. He doesn’t waste anything including pain and suffering. Regardless of the source of our trials, He uses everything for our good, though we may not see it now or in our lifetime.


Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)


Don’t worry, but trust God to do His work!


3. We can choose to praise the Lord instead of complaining.


Complaining can lead to self – pity, which can be a slippery slope that leads to depression and despair.

It is essential to always praise the Lord especially during trials. Praise honors God and helps us to keep our focus on Him. Praise is an antidote for complaining and prevents bitterness.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)

If we remain steadfast through our trials, someday we will receive praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes again.


Job 23:10 says, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (NLT)


Someday, in the presence of Jesus, we will thank Him for every burden, trial and heartache.  We can be grateful that He uses them to refine us as part of His grand plan and purpose.


We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to thank the Lord. We can begin to thank him now.

What burdens, trials and heartaches are you going through?


Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.


Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.


Help Spread the Word!

If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!



For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE


Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth



  • Writer: Mark Alan Williams
    Mark Alan Williams
  • Aug 23, 2018
  • 4 min read

Updated: Mar 26, 2019

…that makes happiness. — Charles Spurgeon

It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. Many people have so much money and material possessions, but they are terribly unhappy. Conversely, those who have considerably less are some of the happiest people on the planet.


This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.     



My maternal grandmother passed away many years ago, but she made a great impression on me. She knew first hand that it’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes for happiness. She never forgot the lessons learned as a young woman living through the “Great Depression”. In fact, they shaped her frugal, resourceful, enterprising and creative personality. I still remember her favorite expression, “Let’s make do.” and she did time and time again; always with style and refinement.


She went through times of hardship and plenty as a wife, mother, grand and great grandmother. But, through hard work and determination, she was also a college graduate; a teacher, painter, gardener, seamstress, interior decorator, real estate investor and business owner. She retained her practical nature all of her life. I remember when I was newly married with children, she spent time mentoring me on how to decorate, meal plan, parent, bargain hunt, clean, organize and entertain. She knew how to enjoy life and that was the key to her happiness. I miss her.


It’s not how much we have that creates happiness and having more possessions is certainly no guarantee. In fact, sometimes an increase in money and material goods can create more problems than it solves. Having more may cause us to worry about losing what we’ve worked for or it can create the burden of having to work harder just to maintain our standard of living.


If we base our happiness on how much we have or wait until we have more to enjoy life, we may run out of time!

It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile–like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 6:9 NET)

If we keep grasping for more money and possessions, we will never be satisfied. Developing an attitude of gratitude and contentment can help us to enjoy what we already possess.


1 Timothy 6:6-10 says, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (NLT)


The Bible cautions us against the love of money. But, to love and revere God along with contentment; is itself great wealth.


Material gain may cause us to lose something of greater value such as our faith and devotion to the Lord. In addition, if we are too focused on accumulating more money and possessions; our health and relationships can suffer as well.


Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)



It’s not how much we have, but it’s how much we enjoy the people in our lives and the blessings from God; that makes happiness.


Life isn’t always rosy and we won’t always enjoy everything, but God can help us through times of adversity; and He can help us to be joyful even when we are suffering. We can choose gratitude and contentment, and we can decide to enjoy our lives just as they are today.


Are you waiting until you have more to enjoy life?


Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.


Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.


Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!



Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth



  • Writer: Mark Alan Williams
    Mark Alan Williams
  • Aug 9, 2018
  • 4 min read

Updated: Mar 26, 2019

…and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalm 107:21 NIV)


We can give thanks to the Lord for so many reasons, but His unfailing love and wonderful deeds for mankind are among the greatest. His great love for us is unfathomable and His deeds for mankind, specifically His work of salvation for us through Jesus Christ, is incomparable.


This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

I started a journal to give thanks to the Lord a few years ago and I now have over 11,000 entries. Each morning during my quiet time with the Lord, I take a few minutes to reflect on my blessings and list between: 5 to 10. They range from small to great things, including my husband, children, parents and relatives.


I thank God for His provision and protection. I try to be specific too; such as giving thanks for a birthday, a doctor’s appointment, sleep and waking me to see another day. I thank Him for other Christians and those who mentor me; my community, neighbors and church. I thank Him for prayer, His Word and my salvation.  I also reflect on the previous day and remember to thank Him for each event.


Recording my thanks to the Lord is a great way to start the day and it puts me into a positive frame of mind. It helps me to focus on the blessings as I go through each day. It took some discipline to get started, but now it’s a solid habit. I am thankful that God created us with the ability to give thanks and He instructs us to do so. I think it blesses Him and us.


The Bible tells us over and over again to give thanks to the Lord. He has done so much for us and we need to express our appreciation to Him for everything.



1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (NLT)

If you give thanks to the Lord by documenting your gratitude in a journal or on a computer, you will have a record of His blessings and faithfulness to you. You will be able to recall the Lord’s unfailing love and wonderful deeds that He has done just for you.


Perhaps you will find as I did, that every day there are reasons to give thanks to the Lord.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

We can give thanks to the Lord for His great love. Even the best human love may disappoint us from time to time. But, unfailing love is difficult to fully comprehend. It is dependable, ceaseless, steadfast, persistent, loyal, inexhaustible and infinite.


The unfailing love of the Lord is described as loving-kindness which Merriam Webster defines as: “tender and benevolent affection.”


Psalm 118:1 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (NASB)


We can give thanks to the Lord for His wonderful deeds for mankind. He loves to show mercy. He is gracious toward those who are humble in heart and in difficult circumstances. If we are in trouble, we can cry out to Him and know that He will hear and help us.


The Lord is always compassionate, caring and gracious toward us.


Psalm 86:5 says, “O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” (NLT)


Psalm 25:10 says, “The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.” (NLT)

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8 NIV)

The Lord has done many wonderful deeds for mankind and we should thank Him for them all. But, I think by far the greatest deed that we can give thanks for is that He graciously met our need for a Savior.



Mankind needed forgiveness for sinning against a holy God. So, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who lived a sinless life and gave His life by dying on a cross so that we could be forgiven and receive eternal life.


We can give thanks to the Lord Jesus for His sacrifice, because He died to make us right with God:


  • John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

  • Romans 4:25 says, “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” (NLT)

  • Romans 5:6 says, “For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.” (HCSB)

  • Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)

What are you giving thanks to the Lord for today?


Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.


Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.


Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!


For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE


Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth



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