“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thess 5:16-18.
I am realizing right now that being joyful, prayerful, and thankful are three powerful combinations of the Christian life. I have seen it much yielding beautiful results in the life of many, I guess including myself, and yours. Science says cheerfulness affects the brain and happier people produce better exam results. Imagine coupling this with prayerfulness, then finally capping it with thankfulness as admonished. Great is our God for giving these words in Thessalonians.
I am my father’s daughter so I say I should not fall far from the tree. My late father taught us, despite his difficult beginnings, to be happy and not to forget giving thanks for things–big or small. One time as his life was fading to cancer, we were in the window overlooking some kins who gathered to visit him. He said, one thing good with cancer, you can say goodbye to people. I said in response, “so even cancer had something positive with it?” He said, “This is where a joyful heart can come in—to look at the good in all circumstances. His words still ring to me today. For his being prayerful, he modeled to us how to wake up early and pray before doing anything else. The practice stayed for some of us.
Life is not always a celebration of happy things, but the words from Thessalonians and the reminders of my father echo continuously every time I feel burden in anything. Further, I know we are able to behave like this and act consequently because we have a Heavenly Father who wants us to be this way. It is His desire for all of us; my earthly father just showed and taught me how this is possible.
Joyfulness. Prayerfulness. Thankfulness–attributes we can easily become and practice. Thank You, Father God. I praise and thank You in the name of Your Son, Jesus!
Thank you, Dad.
