A loving task list from God…
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV) Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
As a wife and mother that task list from 1 Thessalonians is hard to accomplish each day. I don’t want to rejoice when I have to clean up the same messes today that I cleaned yesterday (dishes, anyone?). At night, I want to turn on a show and turn off my brain instead of spending time in prayer or reading the Bible. And why on earth would I give thanks when my children are screaming at me because they don’t like the supper I prepared?
I have countless opportunities each day to live out this list from God, and I fail more often than I care to admit, but I have seen the Holy Spirit transforming my attitude and actions as I study Scripture. My own brother has told me I’m a lot nicer than I used to be, and all glory goes to God for that transformation!
Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in ALL circumstances. These tasks are given to me in order to produce the fruit of the spirit in my life. God loves me and knows that when I am completing these tasks then my eyes are focused on Him.
This list is a gift from God for my good.
How can I use this truth in conversations?
With my kids, I would explain that God has asked us to do certain things in the Bible, but the world lies to us.
God tells us to rejoice always, but the world tells us to complain when things don’t go our way so others feel sorry for us.
God tells us to pray continually, but the world says “you are enough” and “you just need to try harder.”
God says to give thanks in all circumstances, but the world tells us God is the reason bad things happen.
When we view our circumstances through the world’s eyes then we can easily think God sets us up for failure. God doesn’t do that at all! He gives us commands to lead to a life of flourish (not necessarily prosperity), but rather He lovingly guides our eyes to the greatest prize of all. The only prize that is eternal. His Son, Jesus.
