BLAIRGOWRIE

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 

Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. That’s because he always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, “Certainly the preacher won’t think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this.” 

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Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this!”

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Difficult circumstances often make giving thanks a real challenge. And yet, the apostle Paul with utter conviction and personal experience tells us to “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances.”

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Now, I must be honest, sometimes it's the "all" in that verse that gets me. Most of us can be thankful, for lots of things, at lots of times, but in "all" circumstances? That can be hard.

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• What about when you find yourself suffering illness, or defeat, or you're walking through huge loss...

• What about when a loved one leaves this world too soon and you still can't see past your tears...

• Or when you've been praying for your prodigal loved one to come home and it seems like the prayers are unanswered...

• What about when you're discouraged, disillusioned, and struggling with disbelief...

• Or when you're overwhelmed, overextended, and just fighting being over-stressed...

• What about when the needs mount high and the way doesn't look clear...

• Or when people are cruel, life seems unfair, and the enemy's breathing down your back…

• What about when the storms come, and the car breaks down, or you are stranded in the middle of nowhere miles from the nearest village or petrol station

 

Yes, these are the "all" things that can be hard to find gratitude in, whether it's huge losses or just life irritations. But God's word never changes to fit our circumstances. His Truth rises above our circumstance, so that we can too. He doesn't say give thanks "for it", but "in it all," for He knows He's building more deeply into our lives and character than He could ever build without the hard times.

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We're gaining strength. We're gaining perseverance. We're being reminded that true joy is never based on how we feel or our outside situations. We're understanding that God's ways are bigger, His thoughts are higher, and we can be assured that He holds us in His hands.

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And He is with us.

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Always.

 

No matter what you might be facing, the good news is this, you woke up. He's given us today. And if we're still here, living and breathing, may our every breath bring honour to Him.

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Be assured my friend, you never fight the battles alone. Stay strong. Choose joy. Choose to be grateful in it "all." For He is building greatness. He's working things out for good. He hears our prayers, He sees all, and knows all. He has purpose for our pain, and brings hope for our tomorrows...

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With every blessing and grace,

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Waiting on His return, 

 

Benjamin

Prayer

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Gracious God, you are the giver of all good gifts. For these we give thanks. There are times, as you know, when it’s hard for us to attend to your gifts. When we face difficulties in life, when our hearts are heavy with grief, when we experience suffering in our lives or in the lives of those we love, gratitude doesn’t come easily. So we ask for your help. Help us, Lord, to be genuinely and even joyfully grateful at “all” times. May we delight in your good gifts even as we struggle. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Christian community. Thank you for those who can bring our needs to you. Thank you for the chance to share in their gratitude even when we are hurting. Be ever with us. In Jesus name. Amen.

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