Don't Miss a Thing!

Be thankful in all circumstances.... (1 Thess. 5:18, NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances; in all circumstances show yourself to be grateful; in all circumstances express gratitude towards God. In all circumstances! Not just the good times, but also in the times we deem to be bad, or rough, or hard. Why? Because God is faithful in all circumstances and is always working out what's best for us through them.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good* of those who love God and are called according to h is purpose for them. (Romans 8:28, NLT)

* Good: something useful, something profitable, something beneficial.

God causes everything to work together for good! So, out of every circumstance we can expect something useful, something profitable, something beneficial to be produced. Even in the worst of times something good is going to happen for you, and don't let anyone or any thing tell you any different. Forget how your circumstance looks, how daunting it might appear to be, how large it might loom. And forget how it makes you feel, forget the hurt or pain you might feel, the stress brewing within you, the anguish you find yourself enduring.

Ignore all these things, knowing that the God you serve is bigger and more powerful than anything in existence because he created everything in existence. Remember that the circumstance you are going through could not even exist unless God allowed it, and filled with faith, without any doubt whatsoever, and without wavering, stand on the word which was given to you in the holy scriptures which says God causes everything to work together for your good.

Starting today we no longer complain about our circumstances but, in praise, worship and prayer we show ourselves to be thankful in the circumstance for what God is doing through it. In trials be thankful. In tribulations be thankful. In sufferings be thankful. In persecutions be thankful. Even when the world feels like it's about to collapse in on us, be thankful. Our God doesn't only bless us in or through good times or times of happiness and joy. He does it in every circumstance and situation and, if he doesn't miss a thing when it comes to us, he shouldn't miss a thing when it comes to him. From this day on, let us not miss a thing. Let's be thankful; it's what God has willed for us.

Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, it is easy to be thankful when things are going well. Help us to give thanks to you when life is hard and we aren't feeling blessed. We give you thanks that you are never far from us. Amen.