Oh, come on now...give thanks in ALL circumstances?? Just look at this picture. It does look like me "somewhat" before I apply the makeup and the hairdo for the day. I mean, I am getting older and the age is beginning to show. And I should give thanks? YES,YES,YES! I am always going to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for all he has done for me. There are times as I am sure you all know that it is hard to be thankful. Many are suffering in unspeakable ways. But I do believe with all my heart that God would not say, as He does in I Thessalonians 5:18 "in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". (New American Standard Bible)
We, as Christians need to honor God's Word and do as it says. If we have lost a baby, if we have found ourselves alone after being married, if we have an illness that is terminal, if we have dissappointments in our lives....we are still to give thanks to the Giver of Life. The only way that we are humanly able to do this is to pray and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit.
I remember that I am not alone in my suffering. Look at what Jesus suffered when He was on this earth with us and then the way He had to die to save us all from our sins. I look around me and see the good in life that is because of what God has done for us. There really is so much that we have to be thankful for if we really think about it. And one way we can show our thankfulness for what we have is to be there for others during their time of need. When I have had to go through anything bad, I know that God will use it in my life to help someone else who may be going through the same thing. As I have also been helped by others.
I love the preceeding verses in I Thessalonians to this verse. They are verses 16, and 17. " Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;" and then verse 18," in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". Good words from the Bible to remember. |
