In Everything Give Thanks

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The will of God is that we should always be thankful, find a reason to rejoice and continue to pray… No matter what storms come your way or obstacles that you face, the challenge of every man and woman of God is to stay the course holding to the precious promises of God and making the most of every situation! Paul told the church of Philippi, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” The secret of being content is that you hold to the fact that God has seen you through your ups and downs, you smile because regardless of your abundance or lack, you still have a roof over your head and clothes on your back… I remind myself daily that things could always be worse; knowing and acknowledging that alone keeps me grounded and rejuvenates my joy. A child of God is known by actions, not by what they say… Paul’s letter to the church of Thessalonica reminds us that we are to praise God and pray to God continuously… 

When your time is devoted to praising God and praying you have no room to complain, when your time is devoted to giving thanks unto the Lord you don’t have time to pout or throw temper tantrums… Paul says rejoice evermore! Often times we are looking for a red sea or Damascus road experience in order to rejoice, but we are told today that we should always rejoice… There will be storms in your life, there will be trials that you encounter and we must learn to stop trying to face them on our own, but go to the Lord in prayer… This is why Paul says we must pray without ceasing. We have to stay in dialogue with God knowing that he is the source of our existence and our Savior. Praying keeps us grounded and focused on God, which then allows us to leave out the next step outlined by Paul which is to always give thanks. As I said before, things can always be worse. Staying grounded in praying, rejoicing for every moment and opportunity which God has provided you and giving Thanks unto Him is the way in which we grow as Christians and continue to ascend within the will of God.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!