Give thanks!

"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

As we come upon Thanksgiving, we are to pause and give thanks. It is easy to be thankful for all the good things that come our way, but, as this scripture reminds us, we are to give thanks for all circumstances; the great and the not-so-great. How do we give thanks when the job we hoped for doesn't come through? How do we give thanks when the diagnosis isn't good? How do we give thanks for the bad news? We can give thanks because we know and believe in a God who joins us in the sorrow as well as the joy. We believe in a God who works from the inside, bolstering us up and giving us the strength to weather through the difficult times. We believe in a God who became a man, so that he could experience every human experience, cry human tears, dance with human joy. We believe in a God who is not far away from us, but who intimately knows every hair on our heads and every cell in our bodies; who, indeed, dwells within us. Yes, the difficult circumstances of our lives can give us an even better view of God and give us even more reason to praise and be grateful! This week, if there are difficulties you face, realize that we are called to be grateful in all circumstances and our God gives us good reason to be grateful! Blessings to you all yours this Thanksgiving...love, heidi