Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances.
Have you ever really thought about that command? Be thankful in all circumstances.
Not some. Not most. But all circumstances.
I know last week was Thanksgiving here in the United States, but if I'm honest with you I have struggled with having an attitude of gratitude lately. My head and my heart--and therefore my mind--are so overwhelmed.
Roy had back surgery two weeks ago. It was actually three surgeries in one: a hardware removal, a fusion, and a hemilaminectomy. Lots of big medical terms to say his back is an absolute mess! While the surgery went well and was a success, recovery has been very complicated. After about 10 days of being bed bound, unable to sit up because of pain, we discovered he has a nerve making contact with a screw in his back causing excruciating pain. We hope we are on the right track to get it taken care of, but there's still the possibility of another surgery in the future to remove the screw if he doesn't improve.
Add that on top of some really difficult work situations, and my mind seems to be in a constant downward spiral. I wake up at 2:00 am with my mind racing, trying to make sense of my situation and find a clear path forward. I play conversations in my mind over and over. I wrestle with the what ifs and the what nows.
Unfortunately, some of the recent decisions at work have impacted my normal time with God. I've had to trade life-giving activities of exercise and time with God for a commute that is absolutely draining to me. It has created the perfect storm for me to spiral downward and lose my peace.
Yesterday, I took a day. I simply took a day. A much needed day. I spent some time with Roy to make sure he was settled in and ok before I took some time for me. As I again spiraled downward in my mind, I found myself stopping and asking why. Why was I focusing on everything except the One thing that can give me peace? My Prince of Peace.
I immediately stopped and committed myself to giving thanks. After all, scripture teaches us not only to give thanks in all circumstances but also to bring our prayers to God with thanksgiving so we will experience His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Can I tell you that's what Romans 12:1-2 is all about?
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
It's all about transformation. It's all about learning to think God's way, learning to think on things that are lovely and noble and true and right and excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). It's about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). It's about keeping our minds focused on Him so His perfect peace can hold us tight (Isaiah 26:3).
Can I just say this is a learning process? It's also an ongoing exercise we have to work at each and every day. There are times I do great at keeping my mind focused on the blessings of this life! Then, there are times like now where I struggle to take my thoughts captive, where I let the circumstances of life take my mind off God.
Life is so much sweeter when we are in step with God--and this absolutely includes taking our thoughts captive, giving thanks in all circumstances! We can't control this life. We can't control what life throws our way. We can only offer ourselves--hearts, minds, and souls--to God.
And that's where we find God's greatest blessings.
