This is the Will of God

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How does this happen? How do I “rejoice always”, “pray without ceasing” and “give thanks in all circumstances”? I can’t. I never could do this on my own, and I struggle to do this in Christ. Still, this is the will of God for me in Christ Jesus. Knowing that the world we live in is broken…knowing the bodies we live in are broken…knowing that we will face suffering, rejection, hurts, loss and pains of every kind…we are to rejoice, pray, and give thanks.

I have to say, there was a season in this cancer, where I was really struggling! I felt like I was fighting with God, rejecting him, doubting his care, wanting the situation to be taken away from me! I was internally restless and not at peace – understandably. It was when I finally came to him in prayer and poured out my heart, my pains, my fears, that I was finally able to let the grace of God flow back into my Spirit.

The circumstances did not change, but in Jesus I knew I was not alone. Prayer brought the desire for praise and worship. And now, here we are in the Thanksgiving holiday season, and I confess I have found it difficult to feel thankful. But I read that it is the will of God that I be thankful in all circumstances.

I have to make the distinction that I don’t have to be thankful for all circumstances. I don’t have to be thankful for cancer. However, even in this I can be thankful. So, in obedience I began to think of those things. I am thankful for family. And oddly, I am thankful for my health – because even though I am coming into a scary future of clinical trials and possible allogeneic stem cell transplant, for right now I feel really good and can engage with my kids and husband. I am thankful for our medical coverage and God’s provision for us through my husband’s work. I am thankful for my marriage and the supportive, loving, man I adore. I am thankful for my mom, sister, and close friends I can pour my heart out to. I am thankful for my church and the community of believers in so many places that are praying for me. I am thankful for my garden and the joy of being outside with the sun on my face. And when I get to the core of things, I am thankful that I believe whatever happens in this life, I am safe in the promise of eternal life. The outcome is secure. It is uplifting to think on those things.

Maybe that is what that is all about. Where are my thoughts going? Are they going to fear and uncertainty and rabbit trails of “what ifs” or am I able to take this moment and see the good in it for today? Pray unceasingly for tomorrow and for all of my cares and for my children, especially, but ultimately to trust and surrender myself and my kids and husband and family and friends to the care of Christ. Circumstances may or may not change. Cancer is the effect of a broken world. In Jesus, I can rejoice always, If I keep my eyes on him and not the waves.

Still, I can’t do this on my own. Or at least I vacillate in where I focus. It is ok because even as I read that it is the will of God that I “rejoice always”, “pray without ceasing” and “give thanks in all circumstances”, it is also written that God does the work in us! He works the very thing in us that he is calling us to do!

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

Jesus is faithful to provide me with and grow me in the very areas I lack. So it is an act of worship and obedience to be thankful, to pray, to rejoice in all circumstances. And as I struggle to bring what I can, he takes my offering and multiplies it in my heart like the fish and loaves, so that I have more than what I had before. He does it in a way that is authentic and accepts me just how I am and where I am at all times. Still, I think he knows best what is good for my soul. So if he says it is his will for me to be thankful, prayerful and to rejoice, I want to live that way! Even when it is hard. Even when I am still learning how to do that.