“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
In everything give thanks. God has given us a tall order in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Give thanks in everything? What about hard things, hurtful things, impossible things? How do we give thanks for losing a job, losing friends, losing a home, or a dream?
I have learned to give thanks by faith, not because what has happened is good, but because God is good. He has promised to use all things for our good. Regardless of how bad, hard, painful or scary, He is the great I AM.
I AM able to use that pain.
I AM able to heal that hurt.
I AM able to bring you through this season of loss with gain.
With God, there is always more, always another, always healing. There is life after death, joy after sorrow, and light after dark. One day all things will be made right and we shall see Him as He is. So we give thanks in the now, in the pain and hurt, in the joy and in the peace.
Give thanks in everything.
By Mary Kane
All rights reserved. Copyright 2019
Thanks, Mary, for this reminder! Today I am giving thanks that God is with us in our struggles. He is not a God who stands far off and watches. No; He’s in the thick of it with us, encouraging, strengthening, and giving us his grace – exactly what we need – for the day!