In Everything Give Thanks

Something to chew on…

September 30, 2012

 I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you;” (Not my favorite verse in the BibleJ)

Have you ever had a week where it seemed like everything went wrong? I had such a week: van not running right, renters not paying the rent, criticism that hurt my heart, sickness that kept me home from work, kid issues, football team lost, and to top it off my camper was vandalized.  Man my week stunk!!

Nevertheless God‘s Word to me this week was, ”be thankful!” BE THANKFUL!!!! Are you kidding me?! I don’t feel like being thankful!  I want to be mad, hurt, frustrated, aggravated and downright annoyed at all these little injustices in my life!!

But wait, He tells me that in all things I should give thanks! Find a reason to praise Him because He is so worthy! So here we go: God, I praise You that I made it home in the van! Father, I am grateful that I have renters  in my house so I don’t have to shelter that burden every month. Dear God, thank You for the criticism, because it caused me to examine my motives and my heart! Lord, thank You for forcing me to stay in bed and get rest through my sickness. Thank you for the hard times with my kids so I can really appreciate the breakthroughs. Lord, thank You for teaching our boys that in losing you often gain experience, and Lord, thank You that they only broke a couple windows and that no one was hurt during the vandalism of our camper.

Was that so hard to do? Honestly, yes.. at first. But it became easier as I did it. God never promised us it would always be easy but God’s Word tells us in Romans, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;”

God will work all things for your good and His glory! So be thankful even when it hurts, be thankful when you don’t understand. Because your heavenly Father is at work in your life!

Be blessed

Corey