PASTORS CORNER
“ In everything give thanks ; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you .” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I used to wonder about this passage “ How am I to be thankful for the headaches and heartaches of life ?” Then I realized this verse doesn ’ t say “ For everything give thanks …” but it says “ in everything give thanks …” I love that ! I am to thank God in everything , not foreverything . I have found that the easiest way to be thankful in everything is by looking for something I can be thankful for regardless of how my day is going . A Reason to be Glad
No matter my circumstances , God always gives me a reason to be glad . Recently I was suffering big-time from some health issues and was living with moments of severe pain . Even in the midst of my pain , I was glad that I didn ’ t get this pain everyday and that it didn ’ t last for very long . Right there I found a reason to be glad . As I thanked the Lord , though in a lot of pain , my heart was glad that these times of suffering were only occasional , and temporary . Thankfulness is a Choice David proclaimed in Psalm 34:1 reads “ I will bless the Lord at all times ; His praise shall continually be in my mouth .” Thankfulness is a choice .
“ We can ’ t control the circumstances of life , but we can control how we respond to them . That ’ s what faith is all about , daring to believe that God is working everything for our good even when we don ’ t feel like it or see it happening .”
When Paul and Silas were severely beaten and thrown in prison , instead of getting swept up in their terrible circumstances , they chose to give thanks in their circumstances by praying and singing hymns to God . ( Acts 16:25 ). What an incredible testimony of faith they modeled to the other inmates , and now to us . Likewise , when we choose to give thanks in our discouraging circumstances rather than complain about our circumstances , we are a shining testimony of faith to others .
The Disciple ’ s Study Bible notes that “ God ’ s will is that we gratefully acknowledge His hand in all circumstances , not for all circumstances .” Though I may not be clear on God ’ s will in my life regarding a particular situation , I can be certain of God ’ s will for me regarding my attitude and how I am to respond to the blessings and trials of life . “ In everything give thanks — for this is the will of God for you , in Christ Jesus .” Two Ways to Focus on Gratitude When I get discouraged by a trial and catch myself complaining , two things help me to turn my focus back onto having an attitude of gratitude . 1 . I choose to stop focusing on my problem , and start focusing on the promises of God . These promises in particular always turn my discouragement into hope , despair into joy , and give me reasons to thank God in the midst of my trial :
• God ’ s plans for me are for good — to give me a future and a hope . ( Jeremiah 29:11 )
• God will not withhold good from me ( Psalm 84:11 )
• God is working all things to good ( Romans 8:28 )
• God will deliver me — it ’ s only a matter of when ( Psalm 34:19 ) Additionally , I encourage you take a moment and look at Psalm 103 , if ever I need a little help in finding something to be thankful for while in a difficult time , I just think on the promises of Psalm 103 and find that it gives me plenty of reasons to praise and thank God . 2 . I ask myself “ What does this allow ?” to turn my attention onto the blessings within my trial that I otherwise would have been blind to , had I continued to focus on how my problem is making my life difficult . In Christ We Can Do It ! At first glance , 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , looks like an impossible command . And truth is , in our flesh it is impossible . But in Christ we can do all things ! ( Philippians 4:13 ) As we seek to find the blessings in every trial , and habitually thank God in all things , we will experience a supernatural joy apart from our circumstances , like Paul and Silas , and find we always have a reason to give thanks . Have a blessed and Thankful Thanksgiving season . See you in the wind , Pastor T
34 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana / Mississippi | November 2017 | www . thunderroadslams . com