THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS

THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS

READ:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

In everything give thanks.
-1 Thessalonians 5:18

My daughter is allergic to peanuts.  Her sensitivity is so acute that eating even the tiniest fragment of a peanut threatens her life.  As a result, we scrutinize food package labels.  We carry a pre-filled syringe of medicine (to treat allergic reactions) wherever we go.  And, when we eat out, we call ahead and quiz the wait staff about the restaurant's menu items.

Despite these precautions, I still feel concerned-both for her current safety and for her future safety.  This situation is not something I would naturally be thankful about.  Yet, God's Word challenges:  "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  There's no getting around it.  God wants us to pray with thanksgiving when the future is uncertain, when heartbreak hits, and when shortfalls come.

It's hard to be grateful in difficulties, but it's not impossible.  Daniel "prayed and gave thanks" (Daniel 6:10), knowing that his life was in danger.  Jonah called out "with the voice of thanksgiving" (Jonah 2:9) while inside a fish!  These examples, coupled with God's promise that He will work all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28), can inspire us to be thankful in all things. -Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain.
Thanks for homes and thanks for fireside
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain! - Hultman
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In all circumstances, we can give thanks
that God has not left us on our own.

INSIGHT
In rapid-fire succession, Paul closes his letter to the church in Thessalonica with a number of instructions, which sound similar to much of the wisdom sayings from the book of Proverbs:  "Be at peace among yourselves....Warn those who are unruly....See that no one renders evil for evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15).  Our faith is more than believing the right things about God, though it is certainly that.  Our faith is to be practical and to make a difference in how we behave and respond to one another.  James said, "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).  Faith is active and demonstrable.

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace