Have you ever wondered how God wants you to live life, what His will is?
The Bible gives us vast amounts of information on the subject of God’s will.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 provides us with an answer to that question:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Please consider the three points made in the above verses.
First, we are to rejoice always. Always? Even when I’m diagnosed with cancer? Even when I lost my job? Even when my spouse left me? Even when my child made a horrific choice? Even when….? Yes, even when!
This is not something we can manage to do on our own. It is a work of God’s Holy Spirit in the lives of those who have committed themselves to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Why do you think God wants us to rejoice ALWAYS?
I have found that when I turn my heart to the Lord during really tough times [Well, at any time!], praising Him, and rejoicing in His presence in my life, something inside me is released so that my heart is not downcast. Instead, my outlook changes so that in spite of the situation, I don’t feel hopeless or terrified or whatever negative emotions want to grip me. God moves in me. Hope arises because of Jesus!
Pray continually follows rejoicing in God’s instructions to us through Paul.
Prayer brings an intimate connection with Jesus. It is in that intimacy that God works through His Spirit to renew our mind. He works to settle our uneasiness that arises in this life, using God’s Word to facilitate His work. Prayer provides God’s people with His perspective on life and our challenges. Prayer shows God that we are dependent upon Him, and that is the best place to be. Continual prayer helps us to abide in Christ [John15]. There is no better place to be in this life than abiding in Jesus!
The last part of the above verse instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances. It doesn’t say in the circumstances we like, but in ALL circumstances. That means we are supposed to give thanks when someone crashes into our vehicle. It means giving thanks when our health declines. It means giving thanks whether we feel like it or not.
Giving thanks, no matter where we find ourselves, is healing. It is similar to rejoicing. Consider Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
God knows what is beneficial for us. He will never ask us, or involve us in something, that will, in His sovereign power, be detrimental to our well-being.
God always wants what is best for everyone. That is why Jesus’ work on the cross was for all people – even those who refuse to acknowledge and accept His work on their own behalf.
Therefore, when God instructs us to rejoice and be thankful, there is a benefit for us in obeying these instructions.
Further verses that help us identify God’s will for us are:
“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:15
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
We don’t have to figure out God’s will on our own. His Word and His Holy Spirit facilitate and provide us with all we need to know God’s will:
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
Doing God’s will takes our minds off of ourselves and places our thoughts on Him. When we do this, we can rejoice always because we are praying continuously, and giving thanks in all things to our great God who created us for this purpose.
Do you struggle with rejoicing ALWAYS, praying continuously, and giving thanks in all things? If so, please reach out to me, or another Christ follower, to help you walk through this so that your relationship with God is strengthened.
If you do not have a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, I would like to talk with you about knowing Him in this way.
You can contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you want to talk.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
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Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.