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In all circumstances

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18  

 Give thanks. In all circumstances.  

 This might be harder now than ever before!  

 This Thanksgiving, do it anyway.  

 Praising God can feel like a sacrifice sometimes. But if you act in obedience to God’s Word, you have taken the first step to changing your heart and mind. And eventually, gratitude will come.   

 Never forget, sometimes the worst things that happen to you are the key to walking into God’s best! They either produce and develop character traits or put you in the position to live out God’s purpose. The bad can turn to good! 

 It’s similar to pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. If you took a spoon to a can of pumpkin puree, it would not taste good. A handful of flour in your mouth would make an unpleasant paste. And raw eggs? Gross. 

 But mix the ingredients together and bake it? Best dessert ever! It takes all the ingredients — good, bland, and even bitter — to make a great pumpkin pie.  

 In the same way, God takes the ingredients of your life and mixes them together with skilled hands and a trustworthy heart. When complete, your life, with its ups and downs, is good! 

 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”  

 And remember the story of Joseph? He was sold into slavery by his brothers. Then, after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife in Egypt, he ended up in prison. These “ingredients” were not good. However, this imprisonment put Joseph in the position to interpret some dreams … which eventually put him in front of Pharoah. God was up to something while Joseph sat in prison! Eventually, Joseph would become the second most powerful man in Egypt — powerful, wealthy, and with influence at his fingertips. He even had the opportunity to save his family during a famine. 

 If you are feeling less than thankful this Thanksgiving, think of pumpkin pie. And Joseph … and God’s promise to work all things together for your good. Thank God not only for what He has done in your life, but what He is going to do as He turns your circumstances around. 

 

 My prayer this week—Thank you, Lord! On the days when it is most difficult, help me be thankful anyway. To remember your goodness to me in the past and trust your plan for my future. This Thanksgiving and always, my gratitude goes to you!