1 Thessalonians 5 v. 16-18 says,

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Lately I’ve felt so hard hearted; bitter towards having to get out of my comfort zone, annoyed when asked to do things that inconvenience me by the slightest. And moving home with the whole family hasn’t helped my hard heartedness either (yes, all five of us are back under one roof again –haha sorry Mom and Dad).

I started to notice this feeling the other day when I didn’t feel satisfied. I didn’t feel like the joyful self I had been before. Why was I so angry? I’m usually not an angry person. Why was I feeling inconvenienced by the smallest of things? God forbid I have to put a new roll of paper towels in the kitchen because I used the last one. Couldn’t someone else do it? Anyways, I realized I wasn’t thankful. This was a heart issue. I wasn’t in the mindset to appreciate even the smallest of struggles in my life. It felt like God was just giving me challenge to inconvenience me.

But that is not what God does. 1.) He wants us to lean on Him in everything and seek power from Him and refuge in Him. 2.) He wants us to give thanks in ALL circumstances.

That’s the key. As 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Give thanks in ALL circumstances”. Wow. All circumstances. The bad, the good, the ugly, the amazing, the times of fear, the times of anxiousness. For He is working through it all. The verse goes on to say, “for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ”.

This is the will of God.

He has gone before you and me and made a way in Jesus. THAT is something to be thankful for. I am made righteous in His eyes because of the work Jesus did on the cross. I am washed clean of my sins. I am able to have a relationship with my Heavenly Father through Jesus. These are reasons to wake up every day and be thankful even when the smallest thing does not go my way.

So, I leave you with this.. where is your heart at? What are you thankful for? Are you living your life with a thankful heart? If you are, I thank God for the spirit of thankfulness He has put in you! If not, that is ok! I pray that God would break down any bitterness and bring you into His arms like the one sheep that wandered away from the rest of the heard. I pray that He would wrap you in His arms like the prodigal son.

Peace and love,

Katie