1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
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.
In her book “The Hiding Place” Corrie ten Boom relates an
incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister Betsy had
just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, called
Ravensbruck. The barracks were extremely overcrowded and horribly
flea-infested.
After their scripture reading in 1st Thessalonians that
morning, where the Lord reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and
give thanks in all circumstances.
Betsy suggested they stop and thank the Lord for every
detail of their new living quarters. At first, Corrie was appalled by the idea.
She flatly refused to give thanks for that smelly, dirty, flea-ridden place.
But Betsy persisted -- and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings.
It was by a miracle of God that Corrie and Betsy were
able to smuggle their Bible into the camp. If the guards found out that the
women were holding nightly Bible studies in their barracks, they surely would
have been punished harshly, maybe even killed. During the months they spent at
that camp, however, no guard ever said one word.
It was not until several months later that they learned
the reason why the guards would hardly ever come into their barracks. They
wouldn't enter the barracks because of the fleas!!
Perhaps you're dealing with some difficult circumstances
today. But who knows? There may be a purpose beyond our understanding! Let's
choose trust the Lord and maintain an attitude of thankfulness in every
situation, no matter how hard it may be!
Dear Lord, we want to thank You for the difficult things
that are happening around us. Help us look to the good in each of them. In the
Name of Jesus, Amen.
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