Written By: Kelly Kemp | CSUS St. Augustine
Photo By: Reed Burr | CSUS Media Coordinator

When I want to complain about the surf conditions not being very good, my surf abilities, or my surfboard not being the best, I think of Bethany Hamilton, who paddles with one arm because a tiger shark bit off her other arm. I also think of a small boy in Liberia, Africa, who surfs on a wooden board from a piece of furniture because that is all he has. Both Bethany and this young man named Reagan surf very good. This shows me in their faith that they have an attitude of gratitude. It is good at Thanksgiving to remember what we are thankful for. We should also thank God every day for everything.

Philippians 2:14 – 2:16
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” 

Recently, I have been keeping up with the massacres and church burnings in Nigeria. Apparently, there have been 7,000 people killed this year simply for their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  These atrocities have so many wondering where the protests for these people’s unwarranted deaths of innocent men, women and children are?

Then I saw a picture of one of the burned-out Nigerian churches with church members showing up in their desecrated buildings. They were singing hymns and still worshipping the Lord Jesus, despite their losses and with no roof over their heads, proclaiming “JESUS IS LORD.”  This example makes me think twice about grumbling or complaining when my pastor might preach too long.  

In these hard days, do not let the devil get you focused on what you don’t have. That was the lie the devil told Eve: to focus on the one tree she wasn’t allowed to eat from. Let’s instead keep our eyes on Jesus and keep fighting the good fight. In life, we can see some awful tragedies and the worst the world has to offer. It is important that we do not become embittered but keep a thankful heart. 

Let us emulate the example of Bethany Hamilton, Regan and the members of that Nigerian church, living with an attitude of gratitude despite hardships.