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.
