Now, for this week's reader's question:
What is your favorite verse?
Assuming this reader is referring to a Bible verse, I'm not sure I could isolate one as my favorite, but with Thanksgiving upon us, the scripture most on my mind is, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV).
Sure, it's easy to be thankful for the blessings in my life. A warm home. Clean water. Plentiful food. Good health. Great friends. A loving family. And the list goes on.
But to give thanks in all circumstances--even during times of sorrow and suffering? Seriously, God, is this possible?
Even when my youngest son barely survived a fiery car crash?
When my eldest son suffered a brain hemorrhage requiring brain surgery?
When my eldest granddaughter narrowly escaped an apartment fire?
When my mom battles cancer after my grandmother, grandfather, father, father-in-law, and step-father-in-law lost that fight?
When my precious eight-year-old niece died after a double-lung transplant failed? Even then?
God's answer is yes, even then!
But how?
Am I to be thankful for car crashes, surgeries, devastation, illnesses, and death? No! God doesn't ask us to give thanks for all circumstances. He asks us to give thanks in all circumstances. Ah, there's the key!
In crushing circumstances, I learned some life-changing lessons. I learned to stop taking life for granted because each day, each hour, each minute is a gift. Every opportunity to spend time with loved ones is a blessing. We are never guaranteed another breath, and neither are those dear to us.
Through brokenness, I better grasped who God really is. Through suffering, I gained a new understanding of the sacrifice Christ made on that cross. Through heartbreak, I learned the truth of God's promise that if I turn to Him, He will carry me through situations I could never endure alone. More fully than ever, I realized that through Christ, death is merely the beginning of eternal life.
In short, these hardships and tragedies taught me to be thankful in all circumstances. And for that, I am . . . well, thankful.
Now, it's YOUR turn. What is your favorite Bible verse . . . and what are you thankful for? I'll be looking for your answers in the comment section below.
Psalm 139 is one of my favorite scriptures. It was my son Alex's life verse. God taught us through his life and death to be thankful in all our circumstances..I am blessed beyond measure and my heart overflows with gratitude for all God has done for me. margie at mijares dot net
ReplyDeleteI love Psalm 139, too. All our days were written in God's book before one of them came to be. He knows us better than we know ourselves. How mind-boggling! How reassuring! It brings to mind one of my favorite hymns: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives." May God continue to bless you in all circumstances, Margie. Thank you for sharing here today.
ReplyDeleteBless you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWendy
Dear Diana,
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning testimony to your faith and how scripture has guided you through the fire,further strengthening that faith.Beautiful!
There are two favorite verses that have guided me through my life trials: Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" for when I am swept up with worldly woes, I can find solace in knowing God is present in my pain and He will get me through whatever I have to face. He has shown me that all I have to do is listen and trust. The other verse is from 1Corinthians 13: 1-13.." And now these three things remain:faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I am filled with gratitude for how God has blessed me through my trials!
Wendy, thank you! Bless you and yours as well.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, your favorite scriptures are also favorites of mine. Psalm 46:10 is so powerful! What a blessing to know that God is in control, that we can lay our burdens at His feet, that He will carry us when we feel we can't take another step. He IS God. What more reassurance do we need? Thank you for sharing, my friend. I'm joining you in praise!
It isn't hard for me be able to say what and who I am so thankful for. My daughter,Diana Prusik, my family, my friends and that God has given me the time He has to be able to spend it with them. What purpose God has for me I don't know but He sure has pulled me through many times of trials. I am so thankful that He has given doctors the knowledge that they have to help people like me. I couldn't have made it to this day if it were not for my daughter, family, friends, my doctors and by all means God. I am battling stage 4 renal cancer so hopefully God will extend my path longer so I can be able to some day see and hold my new Great Granddaughter, Sophia, that is to be born in Jan. I am a firm believer that God knows best so how ever He chooses I know it will be for the best. I don't question Gods reasons for any thing He chooses to do. God has been very good to me. He has blessed me in many ways. So, this plus too much more to mention is what and who I am so thankful for.
ReplyDeleteGod has carried us through incredibly difficult times, hasn't He, Mom? Cancer is an ugly beast, but just think of the blessings we've enjoyed through the battle. That didn't happen by accident. Reading your comment reminds me of another one of my favorite scriptures, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). No matter how hard our journey becomes with whatever life on earth throws our way, we have hope and a future in Him--and that is something to celebrate!
ReplyDelete