Rejoice always, pray constantly,
give thanks in everything;
for this is the will of God
for you in Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
So often we cry that we don't know
the will of God for our lives.
When in doubt, go with the Word.
Joy, prayer, thanksgiving are the will of God.
No matter what.
Always. Constantly.
In Everything.
We try to figure out if we are
in or out of the will of God
in the big things in life.
But we can fail everyday
in the "small" things.
When we are anxious,
down, or ungrateful
in the now moments of our lives,
we are out of the will of God.
Does it have to say always,
without ceasing
and in everything?
I would more prefer: when possible,
whenever you can see something
to be grateful for, when you wake up
on the right side of the bed.
"Give thanks in everything"
is definitely something I need some help with.
Lord, You want gratefulness in everything--
not just the obligatory "thank You for all things"
type of gratefulness.
But the deep heartfelt gratitude for specifics
that shape my view of Your goodness.
Do I see You as good because I am grateful
or am I grateful because I see You as good?
Yes.
It is conflicting to say I want
Your will for my life
but not live in gratitude for what
You have given me
right now, this moment.
One of my favorite writers,
G.K. Chesterton, says:
I would maintain that thanks
are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness
doubled by wonder.
Amen.
Yes, yes, yes! This is are revelation that changes life. Thank you.
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