“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians NKJV). We cannot always control our circumstances, but we can control our reactions to them.
The Bible does not say be thankful for all circumstances but in all circumstances. When my first wife died, I could not be thankful for her death, but I could be thankful for the 62 years we had together as man and wife.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). That does not say that everything that happens is good, but that whatever happens, God will work it with all other things for our good. We, therefore, can give thanks for the good God brings. [God’s vantage point exceeds that of humans, and like with an unimaginably giant jigsaw puzzle, through His providence, He puts all the pieces in the right places to accomplish His will. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
When any faithful child of God dies, we can rejoice at the joy they experience. Christians have “the hope of the resurrection” (NRSV). Our corruptible will become incorruptible, our mortal will become immortal, and our dishonorable will become glorious, guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection!
