1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (ESV)
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [ [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.
Verses 16-18 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Why is that? Because I’m a pessimist by nature (some may call it being a realist, but whatever you call it you tend to focus on the negative). This section reminds me not to be pessimistic but take joy in all that the Lord has done for me.
“Rejoice always.” Sometimes it seems we just can’t rejoice. And truthfully we may have to get through our anger, our disappointment, our sadness or grieving first. We are human, we have emotions. But rejoicing is not about emotions, it’s about knowing the truth. God loves us; He will never forsake us. He has plans for us. Jesus died on the cross to give us life. God does not lie. He is our rock. “Rejoice always” tells me to not let my emotions blur my knowledge.
“Pray without ceasing.” Keep your communication going with God. We have many ways to keep up with friends and family through Blogs, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter (some of us spend way too much time there – I’m guilty), but do you communicate your status with God throughout the day? I’m sitting at a doctor’s office as I write this, and there’s a part of me that is concerned – but I know with whatever happens today that my God is there for me. So I pray. Nothing long and drawn out in King James oratory fashion, just “Lord calm my fears and let me trust in You.” Can you pray a five word prayer? Yes, you can. Include the Lord in your day, your whole day.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” How is giving thanks God’s will for us? Because you are acknowledging Him as your Lord. All situations may not be thankworthy, but what God can with us as we surrender to Him can be. Life happens, so thank God that he will get you through situations and grow you in the process. Thank Jesus that He took your place so that you could have life. Thank God that you not only have eternal life, but you have the ability to have an abundant life now in Him.
It’s hard to have a pessimistic view when you take these things into consideration. Focus on the bottom line – God loves you and He gave His life for you and He will always be there for you.
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