October 10

1 Thessalonians 5.16-18

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

How do we give thanks in all circumstances? In my small troubles, it can occasionally be difficult to be grateful.  This is where some of our friends over the years have been so helpful.  As they have dealt with much greater issues in life than I want to even come close to, they have been able to keep being grateful in all things.  Sometimes it takes a bit to get there.  We might not see the process another goes through to get there.  But getting back to a place of gratitude.

As we have talked over these moments there are a variety of things people have stated about their process.  But it comes mostly to two of them that encapsulate most of the rest.  One is seeing that in all things, God is still with us.  It is about the presence of God in life.  Not always getting what we want or desire, but God being present with us as we walk in whatever takes place.

The other is seeing that God teaches or shapes us.  We are being prepared for something much greater.  Do we see anything we are learning as we struggle?  Is faith getting deeper and stronger in the difficult places of life? 

It may not take the pain away from us.  Like Paul, we may just hear that statement, “My grace is sufficient.”  God’s grace, God’s presence, is enough.  Our life of praise and gratitude to God resides in our seeing God present with us.  We see God at work in us and around us.  Thank God for his presence in our lives.

Song – For the Beauty of the Earth

Prayer

Lord our God, love began with you and has filled our cup to overflowing.  In the abundance of your countless gifts give us your grace to fill others’ lives with love, that we may more nearly be worthy of all you have given us.  We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.  Amen.