One of my favorite verses, and one of the hardest to abide by, is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) The hardest part to abide by is “Be joyful always.” People want circumstances to fulfill them and make them joyful. If life isn’t the best it can possibly be, we whine and complain and want more of something to make us feel better. This void that we feel is a natural one, created in us by our Creator with the intent that we fill it with Him.
We all desire something more in our lives, whether it is companionship, success, meaning, or just to feel good. We have a desire to be fulfilled. Many people try and fill that void with narcotics, alcohol, relationships, sex, work, money, entertainment, or made-up religion. All of those things still leave us empty and we still have the desire to want more. In Christ, we should all be “joyful always,” as our Creator desires a relationship with us and has plans for us bigger than we can comprehend. Those plans, more than likely, are not your plans. Those plans will include pain, stress, possibly illness, hard work, discipline, but ultimately, a heavenly reward to which earth cannot hold a candle. I once heard a pastor say, “Instead of thinking ‘why is God doing this to me,’ we should be asking ‘what is God doing through me.’”
As genuine Christ-followers, we will suffer. We will suffer more than non-believers, as we are targets of Satan in the spiritual battle for people’s souls. Paul, who went through hell-on-earth at times, tells us that the secret to contentment is a relationship to Christ, regardless of circumstances (Philippians 4:13). To be able continually fight for THE Cause you must understand that resistance and trouble will come; otherwise it wouldn’t be described as a war (Ephesians 6:10-19). Do not allow that fight to rob you of your joy. Christ came so that you may have life and have it to the fullest, while the Satan is trying to steal, kill, and destroy you. This Thanksgiving, don’t look to your earthly blessings for contentment and joy, but look to the sacrifice your Savior made for you, and realize that no matter what life, or the Devil, throws at you, Christ is stronger and will uphold you if you hold on to Him.
-Pastor Adam
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