“Always be joyful, pray constantly; and for all things give thanks.”

For all things give thanks? Give thanks for losing my job? For a condition that requires scary surgery? For having to move away from my family and friends? Give thanks for feeling out of place? For not having a friend to call in a time of need? Yes!! Give thanks for all of these, and more. Give thanks for what we know to be good in our lives, and give thanks for what we suspect to be disappointments, loneliness, frightening situations, and our own frailties. Give thanks and keep that lifeline to God that we call prayer, and God will show that our suspicions are unfounded. God in His infinite power can make sense out of chaos. God can transform our lives when we go to Him in joy, in hope, and in anticipation of His wisdom and strength.

DEAR GOD, STRENGTHEN US WHEN WE HAVE TROUBLE GIVING THANKS. SHOW US HOW TO GIVE THANKS WHEN WE ARE INUNDATED WITH STRIFE AND DISCONTENT. TEACH US, LORD, THAT JOY CAN BE OURS EVEN WHEN HAPPINESS IS ELUSIVE. IN CHRIST’S NAME WE PRAY. AMEN.

-Shared by Charelle Webb