Hello ,
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I struggled with this passage for a long, long time. How can a person be thankful when life can take such nasty turns? Is it possible to live a life of being thankful no matter what our circumstances are?
After studying this
passage I believe I've found some answers...at least some answers that brought peace to me. God is not saying that we should be thankful for all the bad things that can happen, but that we have reason to be thankful despite all the bad things that can happen.
There is a difference!
Let me give you an example. As many of you know, 28 years ago my wife Roberta was in a tragic automobile accident. I cannot begin to describe the incredible feeling of helplessness and struggle that I felt during the time that she was in the hospital. It was touch and go for quite a while, and I wondered if she would make it through the surgery. Looking back however, I have reasons to be thankful!
- I'm thankful that I still have a loving spouse and life partner.
- I'm thankful that we have had three beautiful children, despite the doctor's grim news that she would probably never give birth
after the injury that she was inflicted with.
- I'm thankful that God brought us through this ordeal, because it helps us be more understanding of others that are going through similar experiences. Roberta has the uncanny ability to roll up alongside a patients hospital bed and bring peace to their anxiety just by being
there.
There are so many things to be thankful for despite the fact that I would love to see her completely healed. There was nothing wonderful about her disability, but God has blessed us in spite of it. It kind of reminds me of the verse found in Romans 8:28 that says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose."
We can have reasons to be thankful in all the circumstances that life throws at us...no matter what the outcome. Sometimes we may not feel like it when we're going through some tough times, but the reasons are there!
Have a great day and God bless!
