“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Given the circumstances, giving thanks can sometimes be hard. Tough circumstances came one after another for me in 2024. I lost my dad, my brother, and an uncle to cancer within a span of 10 weeks. Then my highly active young son broke his leg. On top of all that, I faced many unexpected challenges in my own health.
Sickness, loss, and grief are difficult to experience. But God is with us through these challenges. And according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, He still wants us to pray, give thanks, and rejoice no matter what happens.
While praying comes naturally to me, rejoicing and giving thanks during this season of loss and sorrow have taken concerted effort. Endeavoring to do God’s will has kept me close to Him. I have learned that near God is the best place to be in troubling times.
As I look at the things below for which I am now grateful, I see through my tears a picture of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I am assured of His unfailing love. And those are even more reasons to give thanks in grief.
- My loved ones received God’s gift of eternal life when they placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
- My loved ones who passed away are now completely healed. They no longer have pain or sickness.
- Doctors and nurses worked hard to provide medical treatment for my loved ones and guidance for family members.
- Pastors and their congregations prayed for my loved ones and me. One pastor even made numerous house visits.
- Chaplains offered comfort and care to my family and me in the hospital’s intensive care unit and at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House. Their words encouraged me in my own efforts to pray and minister to my family.
- Family and friends showed up to support me at the hospital, Hospice Austin’s Christopher House, and the funerals. Some even traveled over 300 miles round-trip.
- The funeral home staff were so attentive to our needs and sensitive to the multiple losses in our family.
- Calls and texts to check on us let us know how much others were thinking of and praying for us.
- Friends delivered meals to us when we needed them most. They even accommodated our food allergies.
- A dear friend sent me a box full of thoughtful gifts that have helped me throughout the grieving process. The word “amazing” was the focus of a work of art she included. This was especially touching as “amazing” is how my siblings and I were described in my dad’s obituary.
- Ministries, plants, and trees are growing because of donations in memory of my loved ones.
- Churches and homes offered warm, welcoming environments in which to grieve and be ministered to.
- Visits with family members and friends provided a comforting presence, with and without words.
- People understood when memories led to tears at unexpected times and places such as restaurants or stores.
- Sympathy cards with beautiful pictures and heartfelt words offered expressions of comfort and care that we can still see.
- Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the hope of brighter days ahead, both here on earth and in heaven for eternity.
Reading your article brings tears in my eyes but also tears of joy for only God knows why these circumstances happen and we need to trust him always.