Have you ever noticed that some Bible verses seem easier to memorize than to put into practice? One that immediately comes to mind—especially during the Thanksgiving season—is “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
That word “all” is challenging because there are situations when we do not feel particularly grateful. The Bible teaches us that gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances.
At yesterday’s Celebration Community Church’s Leadership Academy Graduation I shared this story about giving thanks in all circumstances.
In her book, “The Hiding Place”, Corrie Ten Boom relates an incident that taught her to be thankful for things we normally would not be thankful for. She and her sister, Betsy, prisoners of the Nazis, had just been transferred to the worst prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and infested with fleas. Their Scripture reading from their smuggled Bible that morning in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for their flea infested barracks, but Betsy persisted. Corrie finally agreed to somehow thank God for even the fleas.
In her book, “The Hiding Place”, Corrie Ten Boom relates an incident that taught her to be thankful for things we normally would not be thankful for. She and her sister, Betsy, prisoners of the Nazis, had just been transferred to the worst prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and infested with fleas. Their Scripture reading from their smuggled Bible that morning in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for their flea infested barracks, but Betsy persisted. Corrie finally agreed to somehow thank God for even the fleas.
During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings in their barrack without guard interference. Several months later they learned that the guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas.
Give thanks in all circumstances…
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Congratulations to Ashlee Haines, Jake Haines, Sheila Jordan, Garrett Kahrs, Talia Kahrs, Mary Laflamme, Stephanie Leithead, Cody Oberheim, Kathleen Spears and Isaac Williams, who for the last nine months read 8 books, wrote 33 papers, posted and replied to 21 forums, served in individual ministry internships and at C3 ministry events. Well done C3LA Class of 2015!
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