“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I can imagine that to some, the ideas of thankfulness and perseverance can seem contradictory. Because perseverance suggests the image of pressing through great difficulty, it seems an unlikely place to think of thankfulness. However, perseverance and thankfulness are not mutually exclusive and actually, from a biblical perspective, are meant to be considered together.
I love the Scripture quoted above. It is short and simple, but profound. You will notice that the word perseverance does not appear in it; yet, I would like to suggest that this verse is a prescription for perseverance. In many places in the Word, God does specifically call us to persevere, but He never asks us to do something without providing His instruction and grace to do it, and in this Scripture we are instructed to do three things ALWAYS—rejoice, pray and give thanks.
Can you imagine what life would be like if we could put this into practice every day and in every circumstance? I can–it would mean we are persevering! If we face each day rejoicing, praying and thanking, we will hang on and push through every circumstance…and then more than that, we will have the joy and hope to keep pressing on. Thankfulness is the key to perseverance.
In the past year and a half, like you, all of us at A Woman’s Choice have been challenged in many different ways. So we need this message as much as everyone else, and God has been speaking it to us loud and clear. He has been encouraging us to keep pressing on in the work He has called us to do and reassuring us that we never walk alone. So we are working on rejoicing, praying and giving thanks each and every day.
This is also the message we can share with those we serve. They, too, face challenges that at times seem impossible to overcome. That is often what leads them to consider abortion. But we can share the hope that comes in knowing Christ and encourage them to persevere and trust God with their circumstances, and before you know it, they will be rejoicing, praying and giving thanks too.
So Friends, be encouraged! If you are weary or struggling, put this “prescription” to the test. Focus your heart on rejoicing, praying and giving thanks, and persevere together with us. Thank you for all you do to save and protect LIFE together with us in our community. God bless you!
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