“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Really? Give thanks in all situations?
I was sitting in the emergency room; my knee was about twice its normal size and throbbing with pain.
Earlier that day I was out for a run. I stepped off a curb and felt something pop in my knee. I finished my run with very little discomfort. Gradually the swelling and pain set in.
I was attending a conference when this happened. In the first session of the day, a lady that had spent time in Africa told a very entertaining story of how she learned to be thankful in circumstances that she did not like. My thought was, “What a cute story.”
Sitting in emergency, my thoughts turned to how unhappy I was about my knee, about a work assignment that I did not like, and about the contrary nature of my ministry director. Then I remembered the story I had heard earlier in the day. It was as if God was…
