"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In this season of giving thanks, I have so much to be thankful for, but more than anything else this Thanksgiving I am thankful for the verse above. I am thankful that in Christ I can truly give thanks in all circumstances. You see, for a long time I didn't understand this. I read 1 Thessalonians during times when disease, injustice, and death surrounded me and I thought, "Really Lord? You want me to be thankful now? You want me to be joyful? No thanks." But in Christ we can be joyful in the midst of sorrow and suffering. We can give thanks, and we don't have to give thanks for a particular circumstance but we do give thanks in all circumstances. Because even death cannot separate us from the love of Christ! What joy! My #SheReadsTruth study said, "God doesn’t ask us to silence our sorrow in favor of thanksgiving. Rather, He uses our sorrow to proclaim a type of thanksgiving we wouldn’t be able to express otherwise." On Tuesday, we had to say goodbye to a man that I loved so, so dearly. And it can be difficult to find joy in that and give thanks through the tears and sorrow, but we didn't have to really say goodbye. I have no doubt in my mind that one day I will once again hug Pete and hear him say, "Hey sweetie!" I have no doubt that he is walking on streets of gold and celebrating our Risen Savior. And that my friends, is the greatest joy I could ever imagine.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:35-39
I am also thankful for the every day things. I am thankful for my freedom. I'm thankful that I woke up this morning, in a home, to parents who love me more than anything. I'm thankful that I could curl my hair and feel pretty. I'm thankful that I had a meal that I walked away from overly stuffed. I'm thankful for the many, many people in my life who encourage and strengthen me. I'm thankful for the basic things that I probably forget to be thankful for each day. This morning I was thinking about how Dressember is only 3 days away, which reminded me of all the women around the world who may not have any of the things I just listed. They may have woken up this morning in a brothel or truck stop, not even knowing what love truly looks like. So today I will rejoice, give thanks, and pray for those who may not be so thankful today.
I am also thankful for the every day things. I am thankful for my freedom. I'm thankful that I woke up this morning, in a home, to parents who love me more than anything. I'm thankful that I could curl my hair and feel pretty. I'm thankful that I had a meal that I walked away from overly stuffed. I'm thankful for the many, many people in my life who encourage and strengthen me. I'm thankful for the basic things that I probably forget to be thankful for each day. This morning I was thinking about how Dressember is only 3 days away, which reminded me of all the women around the world who may not have any of the things I just listed. They may have woken up this morning in a brothel or truck stop, not even knowing what love truly looks like. So today I will rejoice, give thanks, and pray for those who may not be so thankful today.
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