1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to "rejoice always, pray continuously, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I've bolded certain words because it's not difficult to rejoice when things go well, but what about rejoicing even when things go badly, or certainly not the way you'd planned? It's also easy to pray in the evening when things start to slow down, but how many times have you been lying in bed and thought, "I haven't said one prayer today!" Even more, how many times have you been in that bed and thought, being a little ashamed, "I haven't even thanked God for one blessing today." The above verse tells us to rejoice in all circumstances. ALL. Not just when things go well, like when we get a good grade, someone comes out of an illness, we have safe travels. Of course we should give thanks in those circumstances! But what about when we lose a job? What about when we lose a loved one? When we can't find a job? When we have to take out that extra loan just to make things work? When we get in a fight with a friend or family member? When a relationship ends, whether it be romantic or a friendship.
Or when we hit a curb and pop a huge hole in our mom's car tire and make a gash in the rim, the AAA guy breaks the lug nut, and no where near you is open because of the holiday? Or when your sister has emergency gallbladder removal surgery and you're supposed to be in Tennessee to help? Or the fact that you can't afford to get the new tire and rim because that was going to be first month's rent for an apartment because you've graduated with $47,000 in debt despite working through school and receiving a scholarship? And your sister's A/C is broken adding another stress to the family you're supposed to be helping.
Obviously the above situation is my current life situation. Needless to say my first adult situation post-graduation is not fun. I was supposed to already be in Tennessee helping out with the Workmon kiddos. I just finished reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, and the main premise of the book is giving thanks in all circumstances, no matter how happy, angering, frustrating, or sad, but giving thanks because this is the life God has given us, and we can live this life because of the sacrifice Christ made for us. No matter what is happening in this earthly life, we know that we are guaranteed an incredible eternal life because of what Christ did on the cross, and we really have nothing to fear because of it. That's a bold statement for someone who suffers with anxiety and depression!
Another thing my mom always says: it could always be worse. So, in the midst of me tearfully realizing I'd done damage to my mom's car and couldn't get to TN in time and everyone having to rearrange because of a dumb mistake I made, I made a list of things I was grateful for. This list included:
-Andrew's expert knowledge of cars (I honestly pray I marry a man who knows cars like Andrew), and his willingness to help me despite everything going on in the Workmon household
- My mishap happening within 5 miles of Kristy and Luke's house so I was safe and didn't have to drive back on a spare tire in the dark
- The tire is going to cost less than I thought
- Despite needing to be in TN, it was a blessing this happened now and not while working
- No one was hurt and no further damage was done to the car
- I am about to get my last pay check from Housing which will help pay for this
And then I prayed, hard for a place to have an available, even if temporary rim, on Tuesday. I caught myself thinking how inconvenient it was that this is Memorial Day weekend, and then I shut myself up because that's another reason to be grateful- for the men and women who sacrifice their lives daily for my freedoms, including the freedom to openly pray and make this list of gratefulness in public.
I'm really challenging myself to be grateful and give thanks in every circumstance. I do not know what the future holds- I don't know where I'll be living next year, I just found out that my curriculum for my 8th graders is being changed because of standardized tests, I'll be on a shoe-string budget so I can pay off my student loans accordingly and responsibly, and I'm terrified of teaching on my own (and excited). BUT, God is good, because in every situation He is there. Praying continuously, which I feel I've done more of now that school is over, really lets you be "in sync" with God. As I drove down the freeway on the spare tire with people honking at me and flipping me off, despite being in the right lane with my hazards on, I felt the freedom and conviction to pray for them and pray patience and understanding over them because I realized how lucky I was in my current circumstance. And I basically kissed the ground in praise of God when I got home safely. This is a good "practice" run of being thankful in tricky and frustrating situations because I know this is nothing compared to what some people go through, but God will always be by my side, and that is something to praise about.
If you feel compelled to send up a prayer for my tire rim, I'd appreciate it! : ]
Smile, God loves you!
