1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Just this week I was commenting to Tom that sometimes life is so full of contradictory happenings and feelings, it is a veritable rollercoaster ride. Just keeping up with the ups and downs of our friends and extended family, their children, and our own children, can be exhausting emotionally. It is easy to be thankful for the good things. But the sorrows? The scary things? The conflicted feelings? Maybe being thankful always will help us to keep our boat upright. (We must be empathic, but it doesn’t help anyone for us to fall apart.) It has become very natural for me to turn to God and ask for help when I am overwhelmed. But do I add a “thank-you” when I am feeling burdened?
Holy Lord, today I am reminded I must be thankful always and in everything and every situation. I am alive with your Holy Spirit living in me. I can do anything and can endure anything with your help. Thank-you, Lord. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kay
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Being Thankful in all circumstances is not always easy. We love to give Thanks and praise when everything is good. But when it's not, we often cry "poor me" or Oh, why did this happen." We have a friend in Transformers who understands this admonition and lives it in all circumstances. She recently hurt her foot in a fall and after caring for the injury, she would tell you of all the good that she could be thankful for.
It was a small injury-nothing broken
She was not alone, so help came.
She even found a shoe that would fit her swollen foot.
I am sure that evening she prayed and praised God for all those good…
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
My days begin and end with prayer. When I pray it is very easy to rejoice and give praise when life is going well, (being honest) not so easy when things go awry or in a direction I don’t appreciate. All I have to do is, for just one nanosecond, think of Christ’s suffering and his Gift to us and the frustrations melt.
Dear God, although it may be hard sometimes to give thanks in ALL circumstances, I truly know that the circumstances are your will, and those circumstances have a purpose for me. Thank you for your Gift. Amen
Thanksgiving/giving thanks
Wednesday, November 20th 2024
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
My breath prayers help me through each day. This helps me to stay close to God. As I go through each day I can pray anytime, anywhere. I can stay in constant communication with him through prayer each and ever day, if needed. I do not have to wait until I am in church or some other designated place. The best way I know to be unceasing in prayer is to live as though God is constantly paying attention to me, because he is. The bible says in every situation ,…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This passage is well-known, but largely because of the admonition to pray. I like the translation, “pray without ceasing.” Often lost, but the focus of our reflections this week is the admonition to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Here is where the lesson taught to us by Kay Layne is so impactful. Even in difficult circumstances we can boldly pray thanks for what God will do for us and the loved ones for whom we pray. Lacking the lens of eternity, in difficult times, God’s will may seem obscure and even cruel to our human way of thinking. The difference between the believer the non-believer is the unshakable confidence in a bright hope for tomorrow, whether it…