In All Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

We face joy and sorrow, triumph and failure, sunshine and rain, and sometimes all in one day! There are days when it can feel like the good things are fleeting while the challenges remain. Right now, you may face all sorts of adversity: a broken relationship, a lost job, a heartbreaking illness; these can be incredibly painful. We remember that Jesus never promised this life would be easy, but he promised to be with us in everything. He gets it; he understands. 

So how can we genuinely give thanks in all circumstances? Jesus is our example. As he looked to the joy that would come (Hebrews 12:2) and endured the cross, we too can look to our future of joy with him. Jesus has promised us joy, and if we put our faith in him rather than the outcome, no circumstance can steal our thanksgiving. 

We give thanks in faith to God, who promises that our affliction is momentary compared to an eternity of joy. This is how we suffer but remain thankful in all circumstances. We're not thankful for death, sorrow and pain, but we know and serve a God who is greater than them! 

"Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff. To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God's accomplishments. To rehearse God's accomplishments is to discover His heart. To discover His heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver. Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what the morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up." — Max Lucado.

Prayer — Thank you God that you're with me, you promised never to forsake me. Burn away my anxiety and worry today, all that I'm carrying. Allow me to discover your heart as I remember that you suffered and died for me.