The Power of a Preposition

Being thankful is a choice.

In the past few days, I have come across two different bloggers who commented on the verses from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which read: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”

It’s a very familiar verse for me and I see it quoted often. It’s meant to bring comfort. God has a plan even during the bad times.

But, this week, after two different writers pointed one that one preposition makes a huge difference in that passage, I really sat up and took notice. I don’t believe in coincidences where God is concerned.

The Holy Spirit had something to tell me. Both writers said that the Scripture says to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances.

Those two prepositions have really swirled around in my head this week. Isn’t it amazing how one little word can change everything?

We aren’t called to be thankful for the sickness, or for the tragedy, or for the disappointing circumstances. We are called to find something to be thankful for in those dark times.

We aren’t called to be thankful for sickness, but we are called to be thankful for all of the people who reach out to help during the sickness, who would never have had the opportunity to do so otherwise. We aren’t called to be thankful for the breakup, but we are called to be thankful for renewed relationships with family and friends that may have come from it, or maybe even  renewed relationship with God, that would never have happened without the breakup.

Rejoice always because we get to go to heaven one day and live with Jesus. No matter what happens to us here on earth, we are travelers here, not permanent residents.

Pray continually. Never stop praying because prayer changes everything whether we can see it or not.

Give thanks always. There’s always a reason to give thanks and God always has a plan.

These are verses to live by and I have held them close to my heart the past few days. Perhaps you need to hold them close too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂