Thankful in All Things?

From Our Lay Directors:

DeColores my brothers and sisters in Christ! 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Most of the time I view myself as a very thankful person. God has given me so much and for that I am thankful! In this verse from Thessalonians, the one word that trips a lot of people up, including myself from time to time, is the word “ALL”. Is it possible to be thankful in ALL circumstances? 

When you lose your job, or your car won’t start, or your favorite football team loses are you thankful? How about missing a deadline at work, the weather keeping loved ones from making it home for the holidays, or losing a loved one, are you thankful? Probably not! 

But I am thankful that I (we) have a good, loving, giving and merciful God who gives us the strength to get through these difficult times. Phil. 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Whether on our own, or through the help of family and friends, God gives us His strength at ALL times. We know this because he never leaves us and as it states in Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plan I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I may not know what my future holds, but I do know it’s in God’s hands. 

And even in these things we need to thank God. For through these tough times God is changing us, shaping us into who He needs and wants us to be to bring about His glory. We are fulfilling our destiny given by Him. We are His children, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. And for this, I am eternally thankful! 

Blessings, 

Karen Fritsch (kittyrg1967@gmail.com) 

Troy Peebles (tpeebles1007@gmail.com)