Give Thanks Always

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​Give Thanks Always!
It is always easy to be thankful when things are going well. And while it might be easier to praise God when we are happy and comfortable, it is just as important, if not more important, to thank Him amid our trials. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul tells the struggling church at Thessalonica to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. That can be hard to do, especially in uncertain times when things are not going so well.
Why must we give thanks always? Why are we not to give in to cynicism and thanklessness? Because the Lord calls us to a life of continual thankfulness! It is God's divine will that we give thanks always! The Lord doesn’t expect us to smile during pain, grief, and hardship. There are certainly days when we are going to mourn and be upset, but it is in those challenging moments God asks us to give thanks anyway.
he hardships in our lives are not pointless; God has a plan and a purpose for everything. We might not be able to see the good, but God sees the whole picture, and we can gain hope in knowing our afflictions are not in vain, but rather, part of a greater purpose. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Regardless of how we may feel at any given moment, we are still in control of what we say and do, and we should use every opportunity good or bad to point our lives back to God. A defining characteristic of our Christian lives is how we respond to trials and challenges. By finding good in all things and giving thanks despite adverse circumstances, we set ourselves apart from the world, which simultaneously lifts our spirits and the spirits of those others by fixing our eyes on Jesus.
This Memorial Day, give special thanks to God and special thanks for all of those who sacrificially gave all to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today and every day, good or bad. Whether blessing is abounding in your life today or you are struggling to find something to be thankful for, turn to God, the one who blesses us all with the breath of life and His abounding grace daily. We are all blessed and should give thanks, always!   

Grace and peace,
Fr. Greg+

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