Thankfulness

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How can someone who is watching a loved one die of cancer give thanks? I watched my mum die a painful death, and yet was thankful for all the good we shared, thankful for the fun times, the laughter, doing life together, sharing Jesus, gardening together. I praised God for being with us, for being present in all. My God did not cause the illness, and yes He could have healed her, but that did not happen. He had brought her through a stroke in an amazing way, but this problem stayed. 

Paul was possibly in prison when he wrote these words. Paul had been flogged, stoned, shipwrecked, opposed at every turn but still he remained thankful. There is healing in thankfulness. There is purity here.

Try thankfulness, it will heal you! Amen!