"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
According to these verses there are 3 actions or characteristics that are a necessary part of doing God's will: joyfulness, prayer & thanksgiving. Let's take a look at each one in a little more detail.
1. Joyfulness - the word "joy" is not used that much today - I think of Christmas Carols "glad tidings & joy". I looked up "joy" in a thesaurus: happiness, delight, enjoyment, bliss, elation, thrill, gladness, pleasure & exultation. In the verses above it says that we are to be joyful always! That means when the weather is stormy - you need to be happy; when you receive good news or bad news - be happy, when nothing happens and it is a dull day - be happy - ALWAYS.
2. Prayer - we have been studying prayer in detail lately on this blog. When we are instructed to "pray continually" that literally means all the time. You can pray anywhere, anytime, about any topic, in any situation, about anyone - no matter how large or small - PRAY.
3. Thanksgiving - I looked up the meaning of "thanksgiving" in the dictionary (definition from "dictionary reference .com") Thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God, an expression of thanks.
We need to be thankful in all circumstances. So again, it doesn't matter if we have just moved into a new house or just received test results from the doctor showing an illness - be thankful. It doesn't matter if you just won the lottery of just found a dollar bill on the ground - be thankful. It doesn't matter if there is a blizzard outside or if the sun is shining - be thankful. Rich or poor, health or sickness - GIVE THANKS.
We need to be thankful in all circumstances. So again, it doesn't matter if we have just moved into a new house or just received test results from the doctor showing an illness - be thankful. It doesn't matter if you just won the lottery of just found a dollar bill on the ground - be thankful. It doesn't matter if there is a blizzard outside or if the sun is shining - be thankful. Rich or poor, health or sickness - GIVE THANKS.
"O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:12
I have an aunt who is a master at all three of these characteristics. You could talk to her on the phone after she spent 8 hours in the emergency room trying to see a doctor about her tachycardia (racing heart rate) and she would be bubbling over with joy and thankful that she was able to see a doctor and that she was able to come home again - always looking at the bright side of things - and I know that she prays continually. Aunt Lydia you are a great example for Christ!
Are you thankful in all situations?
It's so easy to be thankful when something we feel good about happens, but it's those time when we things aren't going so smooth that I struggle with. Hope you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHeidi’s Wanderings
I am really enjoying this blog. Keep up the great work. I think we are such an "instant gratification" world that joy is something we rarely feel. The idea of being content. Of being happy with the current situation is so undervalued. I am going to do 365 days of thanksgiving starting Jan 1. I am hoping this will help me focus my mind on all the many blessings I have, and less about those items that I don't yet have.
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