Whatever happens.

Keep thanking God.

Seriously?  

 

Yesterday I received an email from a sweet friend asking me to pray for her.  She works from home and the company she works for had not sent any work all week.  So, she emailed them to find out why.  Their cold response was, “You are no longer working for us.”

What would be your response?  To go back to bed, pull the covers over your head, and sob?

That’s a natural response.  And it is perfectly okay.

When jobs and people and homes are taken from us… it’s natural to grieve.

 

Whatever happens, keep thanking God scripture photo image.

 

Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.  
This is what God wants you to do.  
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Seriously?

Seriously.

 

I’ve scratched my head over this verse many times, but today, I had a little revelation.

Some time ago, I learned the verse in a different version which says, “give thanks in all circumstances.”

If you’ve been a regular reader of the Joy Day! posts, you’ll remember that I have referenced the verse many times.

This morning as I was asking God what I should write about, I was drawn to the topic of thankfulness.  Thanksgiving will be here in a few days, so it made sense.

I looked up some verses that are meaningful to me about being thankful and I was drawn to 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  My next step was to go to Bible Gateway where I can pull up different Bible translations and see them parallel to each other.  I often receive inspiration there by reading the different versions.

 

Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.
This is what God wants you to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Do you see it?

Whatever happens, keep thanking God.

That’s it!

Keep thanking God.

 

There is an assumption that we constantly, all day long, have an attitude of thanks.  As we work, play, and interact with others, we are (should be) continually thanking God for every little and big thing.

We can have this continual attitude of thanksgiving because of Jesus.

I’ll admit, that I don’t find myself constantly thinking about the amazing gift of salvation, how Christ took my place and the punishment that I so deserve.  In some ways, I’ve taken it for granted.  🙁    Instead, I get caught up in the cares and desires of this world.

It seems to me… that when we focus on this more, and grasp what a difference it makes for eternity, then we should have a thankful heart, continuously.   And…everything else that happens to us will seem almost insignificant or inconsequential in contrast to what Christ has done for us.

If you’re like me you totally get it.  It’s the every day challenge of living with this outlook that doesn’t come easily.  I feel pretty far from that spot.

 

Photo of bunny to remind us to keep thanking God.

 

Everything we experience, good or bad, God uses to develop us into people who are taking on his characteristics.   He is conforming us to his image.  He doesn’t waste the good or the bad situations in our lives.  He works all things together for our good.   And for that, I’m grateful.

It’s all because of Jesus and what he has done for us that we are able to keep thanking God.

 

When bad things happen to us… we thank God.

Not for the bad things… but because we have Jesus.

Because we know that God is continually working on our behalf.

But, most of all because we know that we are loved.

That we have been bought for a price.

And that we are called sons and daughters of the most high King.

 

Stunning unrise illuminating the snowy trees in rose; just one more reason to keep thanking God.

 

There’s one more thing.

It’s the final sentence in the verse: This is what God wants you to do.

We need to remember that God only asks us to do what’s good for us because he loves us.

There’s something freeing about walking in obedience with him.

 

This Thanksgiving… there are so many things for which we can give thanks.

But, most of all, we need to thank God for Jesus.

And in doing that… we will put our worlds on God’s axis.

 

One more thing… would you pray for my friend?

Pray that God will provide for her needs beyond her wildest dreams.  Thank you!

 

Beautiful Clouds ct sunset remind us to keeping thanking God.

 

Joy Day!

 

The day we set aside a portion of time to look back over the past week and count our blessings and give thanks.   It’s in this counting and thanking that our hearts are filled with joy.

Won’t you join me in counting just ‘seven’?

I’ll start!

Thank you God…

  1. for your hand of provision in my life.
  2. that I can trust you no matter what.
  3. for fun and laughter.
  4. for a new 30-day milestone on the blog.
  5. for your hand of healing.
  6. for the blessing of friendship.
  7. for knowing you have a plan to prosper the work of our hands.

 Now it’s your turn!

In the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts” below, list your ‘seven.’

I dare you!

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

With JOY and thanksgiving!
Diane

To receive FREE bits of inspiration like this
in your inbox or reader, subscribe now.

If you enjoyed this post….please pass it on to your friends.
Click any of the sharing buttons at the bottom.

Comments

  1. Debbi Saunders says

    I am Thankful to God:
    1. That my brother made it safely to Florida from Texas.
    2. That I was in my driveway when my car battery died…
    3. That my neighbor Rob had not left for work yet and gave me a jump start…
    4. That My Pay check had gone in and I had the funds to pay for my new battery!
    5. for wonderful family, friends and co-workers…
    6. that God is always with me, even when I feel alone
    7. For the Peace and Comfort , especially this time of year when I so miss my Mother and Husband!!

    • Diane says

      I love how God so lovingly cares for you Debbi! And I praise him for his felt grace and comfort for you during the holidays. He is soo good.
      Praying your joy cup will overflow throughout this holiday week. [hugs]

  2. Suzi says

    In this morning’s message our pastor said we all struggle with ungratefulness and have since Eve in the garden because the devil wants us to dwell on what we don’t have instead of what we do. I just told my daughter that I even go so far as try to hide my thankless heart from God by using “the right words”. Who do I think I’m fooling!?! :-/
    I have so much to be thankful for BECAUSE of Christ Jesus. 1. Waking up this morning. 2. In a comfortable bed. 3. Next to the man of my dreams. 4. Sleepy good morning greetings from my two sweet visiting grand luvs. 5. And their mother, our beautiful daughter. 6. And our son who cleaned the inside of all of our cars yesterday…just because. 7. And my 86 year old mom who is doing amazing following a stroke a few weeks back.

  3. Lucy Beliveau says

    Thank you Lord for 1. My dear husband who takes such good care of me. 2. Dr. Bhandari’s ability to give me an spine epidural which has greatly relived the incredible pain I have endured. 3. My dear Mother who is still living at 93. 4. My precious children who are doing such a wonderful job raising their precious children. 5. Those who are helping me learn how to have a stronger and more intense faith. 6. My sister in law’s MRI that shows the cancer lesion on her esophogus has shrunk. 7. Tomorrow, a day to which I am so excited to experience!

  4. Mel says

    I’m graced to know a few people who walk in the peace and serenity that only comes with a connectedness to their G-d….they’re people I sit next to because they live in this constant state of humility and gratitude. They apparently live this verse. It’s not just good P.R. for G-d….they exude their peacefulness without speaking. I keep hoping, by sitting next to them, that some of that stuff will just “find me”. When I owned that to one of them, he simply said “If you want what I have, do what I do.” There’s the kicker…..”DO what I do” Coming here, in part, keeps me focused on the DOING, instead of the “talking about” and taking no action.
    My joys:
    –knowing a long term employee of mine is Home with G-d…..resting in His kingdom.
    –gathering natures goodies to decorate and create with.
    –mentoring a young employee in good work ethics, knowing others are paying attention.
    –getting an eye infection and successful treatment all in the same week! Wow!!
    –the folks working around me remarking how much more enjoyable it is to come to work since I “moved in. LOL. Fed that ego I have! 😉
    –going through vacation photos with my spouse….we have seen sooo many amazing things together.
    –the daughter will be coming for the holiday and staying the night so she can “shop til she drops”…which means *I* get stuck with the grandchild. Oh darn! LOL!!

    Yes, I will pray for your friend for great health, wealth and prosperity….for G-d’s continued blessings in her life. And likewise for you and yours.
    Abundant blessings to you and your husband this Thanksgiving, Diane.

  5. Gwen says

    Joy Day
    1. God gave me Psalm 95 this past week to find 8 keys to living the abundant life and immediately I had to put them into place!! For an abundant life in JESUS is in wealth or poverty, sickness or health, sorrow of the greatest magnitude or giddy happiness…
    2. I got to see my childhood friend for a couple hours on Friday and it was just wonderful!
    3. I had a nice visit on the phone with Mom
    4. We are getting help from our church family during this hard time
    5. God is great
    6. I got to be around children this weekend! And they wanted to come over. It was fun too. Like big parties. Even three and their Mom and I’m using a stopwatch to time their spinning little tops…and they didn’t want to leave!!!
    7. My neighbor’s trust to come visit and pour her heart out to me
    8. I felt of no worth to society housebound yet I read Dr Jeremiahs tweet and this post and I was pointed to my value once again
    9. I’m tired. Did I do the amount???

  6. Lovely post, have a nice autumn, best regard from Belgium

  7. Mary Barber says

    Thank you so much for sharing this message. How often do we focus on the bad things that happen while overlooking the many blessings God has bestowed on us……..

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

*

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.