Rev. Charlotte Horn, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Württemberg. Photo: LWF/A. Hillert
In this ‘Global Faith Unfiltered’ post, Rev. Charlotte Horn explores the challenge of being grateful in good and bad times
For this Global Faith Unfiltered reflection, I have chosen the topic of gratitude, because for me it is such a difficult thing to do and yet it is so important. And I really like to think about such tricky topics.
Being grateful for the good things I experience, for all the joy and happiness – this should be easy, but somehow, sometimes, I simply forget and fail to give thanks. Maybe that's why the apostle Paul gives us a challenging task when he reminds us to “Give thanks in all circumstances!”.
In my parish people are grateful for many different things. When I’m in class, my students are mostly grateful for their friends, families and for free time, when they’re not in school. My co-workers are grateful for peace, for their jobs, their families. In our church services, some people are grateful for the possibility to visit a church in their city, some are grateful for the music we sing, others are grateful for things that God has given them.
While thinking about things to be grateful for, I also remember those who cannot find reasons for gratitude. I work as a pastor in a parish but also in a rehabilitation hospital and I meet a lot of people who are shaken by fear for their lives, who experience violence or grief. For many of them, I understand that it is not easy to see something for which they can feel gratitude.
For me, Bonhoeffer is a good example of someone trying to give thanks in all circumstances.
Rev. Charlotte Horn, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Württemberg
I remember the psalms where people living in fear pray for a change and pray for salvation. And I remember a very famous German hymn by Dietrich Bonhoeffer „Von guten Mächten“, which says: “And if you offer us […] the bitter cup of suffering filled to the brim, we will take it gratefully and without trembling from your good and beloved hand.” Bonhoeffer wrote this text while he was being held captive in a Nazi prison, before his execution a few months later. I admire him for being able to write those sentences while being incarcerated. I don’t know if I would have the strength to do the same. For me, Bonhoeffer is a good example of someone trying to give thanks in all circumstances. I can just keep trying, again and again. For some people, his quote is very empowering, but for others it can seem way too demanding. I’m sure the apostle Paul also writes to those people to keep on trying to find things to be thankful for – but even if a change of perspective can change situations, I still see it as a high goal, maybe sometimes too high.
Faith, Love and Hope of salvation are core elements for a Christian, says the apostle Paul. And gratitude. Faith in God. Love for God and the creation around us. Hope for the future and gratitude for all of them.
For me gratitude is directly connected to my faith: I can give thanks to God, because I believe he created me and this world – and wanted it to be good. For me, giving thanks is an expression of this faith. And I keep reminding myself to be grateful for all the good things I experience, in my work, with my friends and family and with God. Day by Day. Like a little “Hallelujah” in my everyday life.
So, I invite you to reflect:
What do you associate with gratitude?
Can you think of situations where it was difficult to practice gratitude?
What helps you to give thanks when situations are difficult?
This post is part of the monthly LWF Youth theological series called “Global Faith Unfiltered.” It features reflections from young theologians on the most pressing issues and topics across their communities, from a perspective of the priorities highlighted at the 2023 LWF Assembly
