In everything give thanks....

This is not something that we do all that well, at least it is not something that I do all that well. There are too many things that happen in this life that give us opportunity to complain and we seize them with all our might. Most of the time we complain about something that we have no control over like the temperature outside, the price of milk, or that slow driver in the far left lane that refuses to budge. These can all be frustrating and some times the best way to express ourselves is to complain. However, in light of real hardships these things seem like a waste of our time and breath.

Whenever we lose someone we love or lose the ability to so something we enjoyed doing we are faced with a challenge. Will I spend the rest of my days complaining or will I continue to make an attempt to move in a forward motion? No one will fault you for taking time to grieve the loss of someone or something you hold dear. In truth, no one should ever say the words "buck up and move on". Unfortunately, there are times when that sentiment can be felt without it ever being said.

The Apostle Paul wrote letters to the churches in Philippi and Ephesus and in them are a number of reminders to the faithful about how much of our lives the Lord wants. Everything. Our God wants the good and the bad times. God wants us during every celebration and hardship that we face to be mindful of God and God's real presence.

I confess, it is not easy, especially if you are in a season of pain. To be honest God can be the last one you want to pray to or think about, because it makes you so angry. Yet, God won't leave you alone. You can try to shove everyone else away, but God won't leave. You can yell, spit, use the ugliest expression you can think of but God won't leave.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:16,17 NIV