I’ve noticed it and maybe you have too. Folks today seem to have a hard time showing gratitude. Just saying “Thank You” seems to happen less and less as time goes on. I see it out there in public but I also hear that is happening with kids at home too. There seems to be an every darkening cloud of self-centeredness that has descended on our time. And the crazy thing about it is that being kind and appreciative of others is an easy thing to do and is always a choice we make. The Bible says that we are to be thankful in all circumstances, because that’s God’s will for those who follow this Jesus of the Bible. But why is something so easy to do becoming rarer all the time. Well, that phrase “Be thankful in all circumstances” comes from I Thessalonians 5 in the Bible. But maybe the clue is in what comes before it in that scripture. This is addressed to those who are followers of Jesus and so it is in a command form. First, don’t pay back evil for evil. There are going to be people who will do evil things…and then those who are touched by evil out there. We are commanded to not return evil for evil. Because secondly, we are to try to do good to each other and to all people. Third, we are to always be joyful. Remember that didn’t say “happy”. Joy is different, it is a sense of contentment and hope that comes from believing that God is good and that he is ultimately in control of life and your future. And then fourth, we are commanded to never stop praying…to have this continuing conversation with God throughout our day. Those things come first. And it seems like what we are being led to understand is that when we do those four things, then we can be thankful in all circumstances. And we will want to do that because it is indeed God’s will for us. So check to see how you are doing in those four settings and as we get those things right in our hearts and in our daily lives, the more that spirit of thanksgiving can grow in our hearts. And then we will be able to look around us and be thankful in, not necessarily for, but be thankful in all circumstances. And when we do, we will have the satisfaction in knowing we are in line for God’s will for those who follow this Jesus of the Bible. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NLT See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. (16) Always be joyful. (17) Never stop praying. (18) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NLT See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. (16) Always be joyful. (17) Never stop praying. (18) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ