1 Thessalonians 5
Sometimes we spend so much time focused on what’s wrong and missing from our lives that we don’t give thanks…
It is the will of God for us to give thanks in every thing—good, bad, and otherwise.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. —1 Thessalonians 5:18
There are times when we face difficult situations that seem overwhelming and impossible to overcome. These situations cause us to be scared, angry, and consumed with anxiety. We want to know everything will turn out alright, but we can’t see it. It seems that the opposing group is having their way. They may have the position, authority, money, and resources to be ‘victorious’ over us, but we have someone on our side that they don’t…the Lord.
There are times when you give someone your very best advice to help them out of a difficult situation or improve their life…but they don’t take it. No matter what you do or say, they won’t listen. You spend hours, days, weeks, and months pouring out your heart to get them to change, but to no avail. You get so frustrated that you want to give up and not waste anymore time trying to help them.
Though they may not listen to you, you can pray for them.
Philippians 4:10-13 – But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1. Throughout our lives, there will be many ‘lemons’ that come our way. The lemons may represent sour relationships, troubling finances, difficult bosses, etc. Maybe we’re impatient with our current situation. We’re in one location and want to be in another. We’re up, when we want to be down…then when we get down, we wished we were up again. We want hot to cold, cold to hot. What we have never seems to be enough.
Sometimes we need a reset. We’re tired, frustrated, and angry. Nothing is seems to be going right. Discouragement sets in and we get in a cycle of dispair, worry, and drowning sadness.
1. Stop what you are doing. When we’re going through difficult situations, one of the things we don’t do is stop. We continue along the same path until something negative happens to us. We need to stop making bad decisions, stop working, and stop thinking. We need to take time to quiet our minds, hearts, and lives to hear the Lord clearly. Maybe we need to go on long walk or drive, sit quietly, or take a longer lunch break. Maybe we just need to be alone.
Why do I always have to go through trials and temptation? I don’t want to continue facing the same things over and over and over AND OVER again! I just want to be free.
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like the Apostle Paul when he said that when he wants to do right, sin is right there (Romans 7:21)? OR the things you want to do you don’t do, but the things you don’t want to do, THAT you find yourself doing (Romans 7:15)? Many of us can relate to Paul’s statements of temptation and sin, but we often stop there without going any further. We continue to live in a cycle that goes from temptation-sin-repentance-temptation-sin-repentance and it never seems to stop. We want to get off the merry-go-round, but it doesn’t seem like we ever can. Why do I have to go through this? Why can’t God just take it away because He knows I want to serve Him. If I didn’t have this ‘sin’ issue, I could just run for Him.
When tragic situations occur near and far away, we often want to help, but we’re unsure how. Caring for the less fortunate is in line with living as a child of God (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:25-37; and James 1:19-27), and we wonder how we can provide the greatest assistance.
1. Pray. There’s never a waking moment that someone in the world is without the need of prayer. Pray without ceasing throughout the day and as often as the situation or person(s) are brought to your remembrance (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
2. Connect with local organizations. Check the local newspaper, television, or radio stations for support and relief opportunities already taking place. Oftentimes, it’s easier to support organizations with ties already in the affected area than trying to make your own. However, you may discover that new ‘connections’ are needed as you pray and seek the Lord’s guidance.
Throughout our lives we will meet people with great gifts, talents, and abilities. We admire their work and see the fruits of their labor born for good. If we are not careful, we will become envious of their ‘success.’ We will desire the same while looking at our own shortcomings and becoming sad, disappointed, and hurt.
Why doesn’t God use me like that?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Our society (and flesh) has taught us to focus on the negative and the worst of situations, keeping us in a constant pattern of misery and negativity. This pattern affects our decisions, outlook on humanity, and our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
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