As Thanksgiving nears, what is it you are really thankful for?
This passage gave me a good reminder this morning,
1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 (New International Version)
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Paul is referring to us not necessarily being thankful for each circumstance, but more for being thankful in the circumstance. Are you joyful and thankful despite no matter what your circumstance is?
We tend to forget some of the blessings we should be thankful for or we spend time focusing on what we don't have ( or what is wrong with possessions and relationships in our lives)
What should you be thankful for that you find it difficult to be thankful for?
2 comments:
You've put your finger on something we don't find easy to do; to be thankful even when everything seems to be going wrong; to remember all the blessings we have when our focus can be so easily drawn out to the difficulties we're facing, which sometimes can seem overwhelming. Thanks for this reminder of how God expects us to behave when trials come upon us.
One of the greatest things about following after the Lamb of God is His unchangeableness. Always comforting, always pure, always righteous, a Shepherd who leads His lambs through both the storms and trials of every era. (Ezekiel 34:20-24)
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
(Isaiah 41:11-14 KJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
(James 1:17 KJV)
BE still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side
1 BE still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to Thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2 Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3 Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be for ever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
by Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel (b. 1697)
"Be Still My Soul" is a popular revival hymn written by Katharine von Schlegel (1697-c.1768) and translated into English by Jane L. Borthwick (1813-1897). The music was composed by Jean Sibelius, from his music 'Finlandia.' The scripture reference of this hymn is found in Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
christianmusic.suite101(dot)com/article.cfm/be_still_my_soul_k_von_schlegel
Post a Comment