Monday, March 13, 2017

1 Thessalonians 5:18 -- Giving Thanks in Every Thing

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18


Giving thanks is a great idea, and definitely not relegated to Thanksgiving only, but always.  And the whole "in every thing give thanks" makes me think that God deserves a lot of thanks, but also that "every thing" probably means other people as well.

Sometimes it is hard for us to be thankful, especially when we're angry about something.  On the other hand, the act of being thankful... considering what someone else has done that we appreciate, and taking the time to express that thanks somehow... sometimes is exactly what we need to help us let go of anger and remember the good things instead of the bad.

This is true for other people, and for God, and significantly, also true for ourselves.  Other people get angry or frustrated with us, and unlike with God, where it probably isn't justified, with us, it sometimes is.  People have to look past our failings just as much as we have to look past theirs in order to see the goodness and the potential and the hope that is there in all of us.

Today, let's remember that we are works-in-progress.  Let's be patient with each other as we correct mistakes and work to improve.  Let's give thanks to God for the chance to experience this world, for the opportunities we have to learn and love and become, and also give thanks to each other, for the assistance and support in living and growing and becoming.  For opportunities and even challenges... in every thing, let's give thanks. :)

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