With You Lord, I am Blessed

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Have you ever read these three instructions from Paul (especially on a bad day) and thought “Well that’s impossible”? No? Just me? I have often asked when coming across these verses how God can expect us to do these things when we are surrounded by a fallen world where we experience so much pain and suffering?

However, as I have contemplated these instructions, I have come to notice Paul does not tell us to rejoice because of the things happening or say we have to be thankful for the hard times. Rather, he is calling followers of Christ to find reasons to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in the midst of those circumstances.

When hard days hit, it is easy to focus on what we have lost, the things we wish were different, or the things that are out of our control. But if our focus turns to gratitude, our perspective changes. A focus on gratitude helps us look for the blessings that are still present even when our circumstances are not what we would have hoped for.

The song I’m So Blessed by CAIN has been stuck in my head this week after I read these verses. The chorus of this song says, “On my best day, I’m a child of God. On my worst day, I’m a child of God. Every day is a good day and you’re the reason why. I’m so blessed, I’m so blessed. Got this heartbeat in my chest. It doesn’t matter about the rest. If I got you Lord, I’m so blessed.” This song is a reminder that our greatest blessing is simply belonging to God.

Today may not be one of your best days. You might be carrying something no one else can see. If so, I encourage you to remember God’s goodness in the midst of it.

You can rejoice because He is with you. You can pray because He hears you. You can give thanks because you belong to Him.