What is your tendency when things in your life do not go as you expect or would like? Do you get anxious and fearful? Do you question why these things are happening to you? Perhaps you get frustrated or annoyed. It is possible that you resort to complaining? What should be done when life seems to be unraveling?
Let's take a stroll through the New Testament.
Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Paul also says in Ephesians 5:19-20 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father"
James takes it a little further in James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Peter really explains why we can give thanks in and for any circumstance. 1 Peter 1:3-9 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining a the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
Have you ever noticed that neither fear, anxiety, frustration, annoyance, nor complaining change your circumstance? Oh! But when you begin to praise God and give thanks to Him because He is worthy of your praise and thanksgiving, no matter what is going on in your life, things begin to change. This change may not be outward and may take some time, but the inward change will make you able to know and understand that your Father is good and has good planned for your life.
The LORD bless you with a heart willing to give Him thanks... no matter what.
I love you,
Ruth
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