Today’s Engagement is, “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
Be Thankful –
In all circumstances?
This is God’s Will?
We’ve all experienced certain circumstances where thankfulness and joy seem impossible, irrational, or even insane! Perhaps we might be able to utter a desperate prayer in the midst of suffering, but not much more, and certainly not rejoicing or grateful for the misery of the moment!
And how is any of this God’s Will?
Let’s take a step back, stepping out, if only mentally, of our current miserable, painful, sorrowful circumstance for a moment.
We know a few things with certainty: God is Good, He loves us, He works everything together for our good, He said to take heart because, even though we will have troubles, He has overcome this world, He is God, we aren’t, and His ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours.
Is it possible, my friend, given this perspective, that our path to victory is to stare our ugly circumstances in the face, and by faith in Him alone, to look beyond our situation, and look only to Him, and calmly proclaim:
Thank You, my Father, even in these extremely difficult circumstances, I will trust You! I know it won’t last forever; this will end someday. I know that You are somehow working all things, including this, for my good. I will continue to trust You, to rejoice in all You are, to pray, and even be thankful while I am still in this trouble. For all that You have promised, and for Your ultimate deliverance, I choose to trust You still – in Jesus’ Name.
All Things
Covenant Worship
https://youtu.be/dR-WF7J6Sf8?si=tvm7WaGQSrXoNehL