God's Will

One of my favorite passages of scripture is found in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5 verses 16-18.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

I don't know about you but I have asked God so many times what his will is for my life. I then will often pray that God's will be done, but not really assuming that it was good for me, but what "should" be done. In my walk with Jesus, and in realizing that God is a really good dad-like my kids have-that wants all the best things for his children. This has foundational changed my whole theology! I have always imagined God to be this stingy Scrooge character that withholds from his children because we haven't earned anything good and he only gives us what he feels obligated to provide. Our Heavenly Father is a loving and lavishing father and I am so thankful that I know this now.

Anyways, back to God's will. It is literally spelled out in this passage of scripture!

1. Always be joyful

2. Pray all the time (remember, prayer is just being in dialogue with Jesus)

3. Be thankful

I love that it is not some hard and complicated formula. I also love how we don't have to be thankful FOR all circumstances but IN all circumstances. That little word makes all the differences. No, we don't have to be thankful for the storm, but we can be thankful in the storm because it allows us to see more clearly.

Choose joy, pray and have a heart of thankfulness <- That's it. That is what God's will is for you today and everyday. You can do this!