Giving
Thanks in all
Circumstances
by Kathy Foor, CGWM Director
R
ejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Do you ever struggle with this passage of Scripture? Under ordinary circumstances, it may seem like an impossible command to follow, but right now in this particular time period in history, it may be even harder to rejoice always or to give thanks in everything, especially when people around you are grumbling and complaining about everything all the time! This is a good time to remember why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. Only with His help can we possibly obey this command. It is important to realize, however, that we do have a part to play. We must choose to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to rejoice always and give thanks in everything because it doesn’t come naturally to most of us. One tool that helps me to remember to give thanks to God is to keep my Thank Offering barrel in a prominent place, so that whenever I walk past it, I think of something I am thankful for and drop a coin or two in the barrel. What is a Thank Offering barrel? This daily act of worship was established by Grace Pierson, the founder of Churches of God Women’s Ministries (formerly known as WCSC) in 1952. She wanted to help women develop a thankful heart as well as to raise money to benefit missions. 18 November/December 2021
