Bible Study

Bible Study April 1, 2025

“Circumstances”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16 “Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

What is your first thought when you read these verses? Does God have it for me because of what I am going through? Or maybe “Why do bad things happen to good people (from James Dobson). Is there something I have done that puts me in this place or these circumstances I am in?

No one really knows our complete situation but us. People see us going through tough times and some will pray for us, some will think “I’m glad that’s not me”, (I’ve actually had people tell me this) or other thoughts come one’s mind.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with a lady that in all appearances must be in a great deal of pain yet she always has a smile on her face. She sees life from a perspective “always be joyful.” She will ask for prayer for others never asking for herself. She believes this quote “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” (Alphonse Karr in 1853).

Many who attend our church have met a man who goes through equally difficult health issues yet I get a hug from him every week. Both of these people are faithful in their infirmities.

“Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to It” The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on my life. Attitude is more important than what happens to us. It is more important than anything such as education, money, yes our circumstances. Attitude can change your life.

We can have a choice about our attitudes which make or break your company, your home, or your church.

We can change our attitude we have that choice everyday to embrace or allow it to embrace us. I will confess that I told our church council I resign (only to myself) often on my way home from a meeting then the next day I am back at it. My attitude is “deal with it and move on.” I will admit telling people “to forgive and move on” was not the advice they wanted. It is a choice.

We may not be able to change the facts but we can change how we see them and react to them. Are you willing to change your attitude to deal with 10% of the circumstances in your life?

Give it a try, God Bless.