Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks.

I’ve been reading Karen Ehman’s book Let.It.Go. and following along with Melissa Taylor’s online Bible study.  We are learning to let go of some of the things we so feel the need to control and to trust in God!

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

Rejoice.  Pray.  Give thanks.

Well, that just about sums up a victorious life in Christ! 

If we rejoice throughout our days, finding a way to choose joy, our spirits are lifted.
We are carried beyond the present, difficult moments into a realm of blessing.
We enjoy life because it is a gift.
We appreciate the heartaches we have because, on the other side of them, there lie people and responsibilities and privileges that we are so blessed to have.

Rejoicing brings about life. 

As we pray throughout our days, “without ceasing”, we are always turning our focus back to the Lord.  We do not fix our eyes on our circumstances, on things that will pass.  Instead, we choose to fix our gaze upon Jesus and what He can do about the circumstances of our lives.

Praying tunes our hearts to God.

When we choose to give thanks, we choose gratitude over grumbling, contentment over complaining. Goodness fills our hearts and spills out into our lives. 

Thankfulness keeps us from thoughtful murmuring.

A choice is set before us each day.  Will we choose to rejoice, pray, and give thanks or will we wallow in sorrow, doubt, and thanklessness?

What do you want to define your life?

1 Thessalonians makes it pretty clear.  Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks aren’t just options.  They are the “will of God in Christ Jesus” for us.