“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18
A young man and his wife sat talking one evening about how God had blessed them. They’d recently relocated across the country so the man could attend seminary. And while the move had been unexpected, they quickly found well-paying jobs, a beautiful home, and discovered they were expecting a child. So as they chatted over coffee, they thanked the Lord for ordaining it all.
But within a year, the woman lost her job, they lost their house and, forced to move in with family, their marriage was strained. Overcome by stress, they struggled to thank God for ordaining it all.
As it turns out, the company the woman worked for was about to go belly up, the property taxes on their home were set to skyrocket, and as the young couple would soon discover, they desperately needed help from family caring for their new baby girl.
God’s will is not good only when it conforms to our expectations – it’s always good because it’s His.
His will for you is not cruel, unjust, or arbitrary. God’s will for you is an expression of His love. And the One who ordained the path of the planets and stars also ordains your steps in order to guide you toward your greatest good.
So trust Him today, and thank Him in all circumstances… He knows exactly what He’s doing!
Prayer Challenge:
Thank God for His sovereign control in your life. And ask Him to give you a grateful heart no matter what circumstances come your way.
Questions for Thought:
What are some situations in your life you can look back on and see the Lord at work even if it didn’t seem like it at the time?
What are some situations you’re facing today that you can give over to God?