Three Impossible Commands

Rejoice ALWAYS. Pray CONTINUALLY. Give thanks IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

How do we do this when life is full of ups and downs? How do we always rejoice, continually pray, and give thanks in all circumstances, when the unexpected comes, heartbreak crushes us, or loss grieves us?

God not only gives us these three commands, but He goes on to say; ‘For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

How do we fulfil these commands?

The bottom line is, it’s impossible! Impossible in our humanness. If we are honest with ourselves, we would find it impossible to always rejoice, continually pray, and in all circumstances, give thanks, when life throws us curve balls.

Is there another way?

The key to being able to rejoice, pray, and give thanks at all times, comes when we make it a continuum in our life, rather than stop, start moments, which depend on how we feel, or what is happening in our life at the time. Through the good times, and the hard times, our posture before the Lord must remain the same.

Easier said than done though, right? So how do we do it?

Galatians 2:20 says: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless (or however) I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

We cannot continue to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in our own strength, but we can through the power and strength of Christ. I am not talking about being in a state of jumping up and down rejoicing, praying out loud, and saying thanks twenty four hours a day (imagine!), but having a posture (an attitude) of those commands. There is a helpful word in that scripture which can change the way we look at our circumstance – it can change the direction of our thoughts. The word is – ‘nevertheless’, or ‘however’. Let’s just look at ‘giving thanks in all circumstances’ for example. How do we give thanks in not only the great days, but the boring days, the overwhelming days, the low days, the living on the edge days, or the feeling of no place to land days? We can only do this with our ‘Christ living in me’ ability, and applying the ‘however’ factor.

• I am in a great place right now, however, I cannot forget to give You thanks because Your word says in Psalm 36:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Sometimes we get so caught up with having everything go well, we forget to stop and attribute gratitude to the one who made the great things possible.
• I am bored. Every day is the same and it seems like nothing is happening, however, I give You thanks because Your word says in Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it.” You are living in His ‘hand created’ day.
• I am feeling overwhelmed these days, however, I can give You thanks because Your word says in Matthew 11:28-30 – “28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If Jesus gives us easy yokes and light burdens, this means that HE carries the heavy ones for us.
• I am feeling low today, however, I can give You thanks because Your word says in John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Whatever low you are going through, Jesus has overcome it, and encourages you to ‘take heart’ because He wants you to know; “I’ve got this.”
• I feel like I am living on the edge right now, however, I can give You thanks because Your word says in Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command: Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” You may be on the edge, but you are not on the edge alone – Jesus will hold you steady and speak courage into your spirit.
• I feel like there is no place to land right now, however, I will give You thanks because Your word says in Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” His Word will light the way and by faith you will land on solid ground.

There have been many times I have had to choose ‘however’ over my thoughts and feelings. One such time my family and I saw us in a situation that took a long time to turn around. I would pray honestly; ‘God you gave us your Word, and I stand on your Word, but right now I feel doubt, I feel frustrated, I can’t see change, however, I choose not to agree with what I feel, or what I see. I choose to trust in Your Word, and I thank You for what You are doing, even if I can’t see it yet.’ The breakthrough took time, but it did come – thankfully.

What are you dealing with now, where you need an ‘HOWEVER’ interjection to turn your focus to thanksgiving? Your anchor will be the Word of God. Take it to the Lord, get His Word for your situation, and give Him thanks the only way possible, through Galatians 2.20 – through Christ living in you.

Bless you, Deb