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.
- How is it possible to rejoice always?
- How would this continual rejoicing be apparent?
- Why would you want to rejoice always, even when things are going bad and no relief is in sight?
- Why is bring thankful in all circumstances related to joy?
- How does it help or hinder your rejoicing knowing that it is God's will for you in Christ Jesus?
- What do you do to remind yourself to rejoice?
Always and all are such inclusive words. They leave so little wiggle room. My human nature wants to find a loophole, some way that always and all circumstances does not apply. I've heard people state this is just hyperbole to make a point. Somehow I don't think God would have made this passage so clear if He had not meant it. We know from 1 Thes. 2:13-16 that the people receiving this letter had been suffering. God says to rejoice and be thankful even if you are suffering. That is just so hard to remember. Lord, please help us remember.
3 comments:
After reading your comments about "rejoice always" I immediately thought about Romans 12:15 (ESV), "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." About 10-years back, my wife came home from golfing rejoicing because she made a hole-in-one. I found it difficult to rejoice with her because I have never had one. I wanted to weep and she wanted to rejoice. About one year later, she got another hole-in-one which made things even more difficult. That is somewhat off the subject, but it does illustrate my human nature of not wanting to rejoice. I have a lot to rejoice about. I should always rejoice that I am saved by the grace of God. I should always rejoice in the Lord because of this.
I think that rejoicing can be done even as we suffer, by looking to the pain first for what it is telling us and making us hear and learn from the experience that led to this...and remembering that there will be an end to suffering, no matter the magnitude of pain, if we go through the process and not stifle it... but to be told to rejoice while suffering can terribly confusing (and sometimes angering) and can only be done after enough experience and trust in the process.
Post a Comment