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Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.18.NLT

 Do circumstances drive gratitude and thankfulness? Perhaps it is something much deeper or someone that is in all of it.

Recently I got up in the morning “ticked off” within my spirit. To be honest, I was upset at nearly everything that was in front of me that day. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit let me know that this was not OK and I needed to do something about it.

I did. I went to a place at Warm Beach Camp, looking out over Port Susan Bay of Puget Sound. I asked God to help me change my perspective about the things I was facing that day. He did. He used a very old song to remind me this was going to be a day with a good perspective and attitude: “What a Friend we have in Jesus.”

As I was getting things squared away within myself, someone else came by. I asked how they were doing and tears began to flow. We talked about what was on their heart, encouraged each other, and asked God to walk with us through this day. God met us in our prayer and we both left this place filled with God’s faithful love to take into the day.

Circumstances do not generate thankfulness. Thankfulness comes from a relationship with God every day. He is able to come into any day and bring gratitude because we are with Him. He is living in us. We are not alone.

Encouragement: Take time to give God thanks for the people and circumstances of today. God is with you. You are not alone. He is sustaining you in all that you do. One of the great truths of following God through Jesus Christ is that He is always with us.

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank You for being with us in our lives today. It is amazing to think that You, the creator of the universe, dwells in me through Your son, Jesus Christ and through Your spirit, the Holy Spirit. My circumstances do not dictate gratitude. You do. When I spend time with You, I realize just how lucky I am, because of Your great love for me. I am thankful. In Jesus name, Amen.

-Ed McDowell, Executive Director
Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center