Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Sometimes it’s really hard to give thanks when unpleasant circumstances blind you from the blessings in your life. I’ve been experiencing that for a while now, but it’s been even worse these past few months. Even though I don’t like the circumstances I’m in right now– my Dad taken from me, my family left broken, my Mom and I drifting apart, Ryan and I separated by distance (and my friends), a less than ideal college experience– there are still things to be thankful for in my daily life. Right now, I really have to set all the bad things aside and focus on the good in order to see the blessings.
While I was driving to class last week, I heard something about about this verse on the radio that I really needed to hear. I don’t know who it was, but they said that they write down all the things they are thankful for (big or small) at the end of a day, and the next day they thank God for those blessings of the previous day. I thought it was such a great idea because I am really struggling with my prayer life, including giving thanks to God. It’s hard for me to find words and it’s also difficult to recognize what I should be thankful for. I’ve tried it and it’s made it a little bit easier, but I think it will take some work to change my thinking. I just feel so negative about my life right now, but I really want to change that. I’m will change that and this is one way to do so.
I could even look for the blessings in the unfortunate situations. I’m thankful that I had a loving and caring Dad for 21 years of my life who forever left a positive impact on my life. I’m thankful that I have a loving family and that I still have part of it. Although we may be distant, I am thankful that God can bring us back together. I am thankful for Ryan and that our love and relationship that can thrive, even with distance in the way. I am thankful that I will not always be in this situation in my life. I am thankful that I can still communicate with Ryan and my friends in many different ways, despite the distance. I am thankful for the times I can see them. I am thankful that I have successfully completed almost 4 semesters of college with little financial burden. I am thankful that there is a good school so close to home that just so happened to work for me.
I am thankful for God’s unfailing love for me, of which nothing can separate me from it. For His Word and His promises. His Son, His forgiveness, His mercy. I am thankful that He is greater and bigger than anything I can ever imagine. I am thankful that He makes all things work together for my good. I am thankful and will continue to be thankful for every blessing from Him.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1
Comments