Suffering Is Never for Nothing

by Elisabeth Elliot

At the beginning of this chapter, I referenced that I was going to tell you three things relevant to gratitude in the midst of suffering, and I don’t think I’ve specified what that third thing is, but I’ve already said it. The first thing was that gratitude and acceptance distinguish the Christian. The second was that gratitude honors God. And the third principle relevant to gratitude in the face of suffering comes from the second half of the same verse I referenced earlier, Psalm 50, verse 23. “He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!” (rsv). It prepares the way. It is in these very situations which are so painful—having what you don’t want, wanting with all your heart something that you don’t have—that thanksgiving can prepare the way for God to show us His Salvation.