Two separate close friends experienced the death of a parent at Thanksgiving. My long time mentor and friend also died this week. A family member recieved a scary devastating diagnoses. Then last night eating boiled potatoes, I broke a tooth. I just had 2 temporary crowns placed on the opposite side of my mouth. So I have no side to chew on.
I'm overwhelmed, and stressed.
In an act of faith and relationship building I turned to the word of God today. With verses in mind. You know those feel good verses... those 'name it and claim it' verses.
Romans 8:28 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ; Philippians 4:13
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
But I felt that part, the one we too often we ignore. You know the feeling, the gentle nudging 'ok but read deeper'
So before we hear in Romans that everything works for the good, we are told how.
Romans 8:26 -27
In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
So when I am in my weakness, I'm not alone. When I can't even think to pray, GOD himself prays for me. He groans with me. He intercede for His own will in my life. So that it can work together for His good.
And the context of Thessalonians..
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 HCSB
Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Is all about the relationships that help you give Thanksgiving. The relationships that are deep enough to call you out in love when you are not living a life of Thanksgiving. Relationships that will encourage you in your sadness, and will help you in your weakness. I don't have to find the Thanksgiving to give, my relationships will be along side me lifting me up with Thanksgiving.
And what about Philippians? The✨️magical✨️ ability to all things?
Philippians 4:11-12 HCSB
I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
The ability is to suffer. To be in God's service even in the hard and uncomfortable. Even in the derision, and the pain. To be ok with the nothing, because the end is the beginning of forever freedom in heaven. WITH GOD. am these things that have me down will vanish. I won't be sad at the deaths, because those who love the Lord and recognize His diety will be with me there. And my broken tooth will not matter in my new glorious body.
This is a hard season, but it's just that a season. A season to grow relationships, a season to grow contentment, a season to let the Holy Spirit Himself pray for me in my pain. Isn't that a comfort.
The struggle is real...but GOD is faithful, good, and here with me.
