Gratitude in the Midst of Suffering

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reflects on a recent note from his sister Jobje, who is battling pancreatic cancer. Jobje exemplifies gratitude—in the midst of suffering and exhaustion. Picture Jobje laying in a hospital bed, looking out the window. As she does, a hymn is going through her mind—“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”—capturing both her heart and rational mind. Looking out her window, she sees, partially blocked by other medical buildings, His golden cross on one of the spires of St. Andrews Cathedral. She writes, “Beneath the view of that cross that shimmered in the eastern sky, and later in the day glowed in the setting of the western sun, I lay on my sick bed being covered by His Almighty hand—and comforted in His precious sight. Simultaneously, I was truly being consoled and thrilled in the intensifying awareness and significance of His cross. ‘Upon that cross of Jesus,mine eye at times can see, the very dying form of One, who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart with tears, these wonders I confess: the wonders of His glorious love and my unworthiness.’ Oh, yes, and let me add, ‘I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.’ In His time, I’ll be able to kneel before His holy throne and give grateful thanks to Him in person. What a Thanksgiving Day that will be. I look forward to that Day.”