I was thinking about a Bible verse today: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which basically says "Give thanks in all circumstances..." I have had a hard time with this concept throughout my life thus far. I always felt God was telling me I had to be thankful for anything that happened or didn't happen in my life. And I couldn't do that, which made me feel like I was not a "good Christian" or didn't have enough faith.
As I have gotten older and experienced more life, I look at this verse very differently. I don't think God is telling me I need to feel thankful & grateful for every bad thing that happens, but rather acknowledge good in the midst of the bad. For example, I don't feel I need to be thankful and praise God that my oldest child has Autism. But I can be thankful that his challenges have opened my heart to those around me who are also struggling with special needs. I don't need to thank God that my husband has chosen divorce but rather be grateful for the strength God has given me and the friends & family who has shown relentless support and encouragement during such a traumatic time.
It is quite a mind shift for me to "look on the bright side of things" I can easily get swallowed up by pain & difficulty. But I am learning each day to find things to be thankful for. And today I am thankful I have had a few minutes to put my thoughts down in words.
