Day 3 – Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I’m not sure if there is a more difficult command in the Bible than to be thankful in all circumstances, except maybe love my enemy! But like most of what God wants for us, it’s in our best interest to pay attention and obey.
Being thankful in all circumstances is not simply laying down like an old rug for the world to stomp across me. Its not a feeling of “I’m just a victim of everything that happens to me.” When God wants me to be thankful in all circumstances, I believe He is asking me to open my eyes, lift up my head and understand that the world does not revolve solely around me.
God is at work in every circumstance – good or bad – working out His will for me and His followers. I haven’t had to go to prison for my faith, so I can be thankful for the freedom I have to worship God. For those who have gone to prison for their faith, I’m thinking of Peter and Paul, they were thankful that the Good News they were sharing was deemed important enough that the devil tried to squash it.
The art of being thankful no matter what comes from the confidence that God is in control, nothing surprises Him and He is using me and the circumstances I find myself in to bring light to a dark world. If I’m too busy feeling sorry for myself, I miss the blessing of God – the God who created the universe and everything in it – as He demonstrates how deeply He cares for me and you.
He can use ALL circumstances to remind us that He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love never changes, no matter how tough or challenging or disappointing our circumstances may be.
So, dear friend, how will you handle today’s circumstances? If you find yourself struggling to be thankful, remember that you are not alone. The same God who lead His children through a dry desert is the same God who can lead you through yours!
Lord, thank you for today. I pray that you would point out the areas of my life that I need to remember to be thankful. Give me the courage to ask not for the bad circumstances to be taken away, but that You will give me the strength to go through them. Thank you that You will go with me! Amen
