God's Will for You

Well Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote to the Thessalonians to... "

1. Be joyful always
2. pray continuously
3. give thanks in all circumstances

..for this God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1Thessalonians 5.16-18

Seems like a simply list. Course, joyful doesn't equal happy in number one. Joy is not dependent on circumstances, but is based on who Jesus is and what He has done. And if one is doing the praying in number 2 then one is communicating and aware of Him, knows they are known and loved and grown in deeper in intimacy and relationship with God, so there's a good reason for being joyful. Giving thanks...in ALL circumstances...come on. no really that's what it says. Circumstances that are seemingly negative, hurtful, cause you to doubt God's character, question yourself or others, cry out, that contain suffering? God, while unfathomable in His wholeness, is only be loving and good. How good it would be to understand gratefulness in all circumstances and focus again on the only One worth it.