“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT).
I have noticed
through Facebook that individuals have been participating in 30 Days
of Thanksgiving by posting what they are thankful for each day of the
month. I have also noticed how many prayer requests are for
individuals who are ill, have passed away, lost jobs, homes destroyed
by hurricanes or other natural disasters and so many more tragedies.
When life seems to be spiraling out of
control and the trials of life seem to engulf you like rising flood
waters, how can one be thankful in ‘all circumstances’ as God’s
Word tells us?
I for one have been asking the same
question lately. My family continues to go through trials such as
health and financial issues. For some reason these two major life
issues are ever present in our lives over the years. There just
doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
While we are going through these trials
we are reminded from kind-hearted people that God is in control (1
Corinthians 10:13, Joshua 1:9); God is working everything for good
(Romans 8:28); that God’s Word tells us we will have trials and
sorrow but to take heart Christ came to overcome this world (John
16:33). I must confess that sometimes while I am going through
trials and people quote these verses, there are times I am not always
comforted, sometimes I am bitter.
As I look at the above scriptures in 1
Thessalonians, I find that our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should
not fluctuate with our circumstances or how we feel. All too often
these three commands – be joyful, keep praying, and be thankful -
goes against our natural instinct to lash out and be the exact
opposite.
I have found the key point is to make a
conscious decision to obey God’s Word – whether we “feel”
like it or not, and in so doing we begin to see things in a new
perspective. When we make a practice to obey God we will find it
easier to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful.
So the practice of writing down what we
are thankful for every day, we will begin to have a grateful heart
and realize that there are more things in our lives to be thankful
for than there are to complain about. In so doing we become a more
joyful person to be around and we will find it much easier to pray
for one another as well.
It may take baby steps at first to find
something to be thankful for – but as my soon to be 90 year old
mother says in her “Terminator” voice (movie character), “you
can do it!”
I am thankful for the opportunity to be
in the company of such godly women of faith through Laced With Grace.
Their continued words of encourage as well as daily prayers for me
and my family give me the strength to carry on through the trials of
life.
What are you thankful for today?
3 comments:
Thankful for sweet friends.
I had to stop by your blog to offer a cup of encouragement to you. I think that in the midst of your journey you have much to share. There are others going through trials and need to hear a word. May the Lord bless you Michele. I remember when I got to meet you in person in Phoenix, I sensed such a caring kind and godly woman. Don't give up. You have a ministry to offer.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I had to stop by your blog to offer a cup of encouragement to you. I think that in the midst of your journey you have much to share. There are others going through trials and need to hear a word. May the Lord bless you Michele. I remember when I got to meet you in person in Phoenix, I sensed such a caring kind and godly woman. Don't give up. You have a ministry to offer.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
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