In All Circumstances

I have not been blogging lately, simply because we have been just. too. busy. Between school, extra appointments and just plain life... well you gotta eat and sleep too!

Recently, we have been in prayer for some favorable decisions from our health insurance company. However, these days it seems there is a trend for higher premiums and co-pays, less coverage for patients and less reimbursements for the doctors. We have now seen evidence of this first hand. Even after documentation, records and a long appeal process, the insurance company feels they know what is best and right. Am I happy about this, absolutely not. Yet unfortunately, I cannot change the outcome any further. I can however, change my heart.

I have been praying that even though I do not agree with the decision of our health insurance company, that God would allow me to accept it, take something from it, and grow as a result. Lo and behold last night while waiting at an appointment, I was reading Respecable Sins by Jerry Bridges. Care to take a stab at the title of the chapter? Unthankfulness. It was exactly what God had ordered for me!


It is easy to be thankful in life when things are going as we desire. Yet as we all know, life is not that simple. Personally, I know some of my strongest growth in faith has come through trials, difficulities and pain. The death of my father was a HUGE one. Various hurdles and diagnoses in Caterpillar's childhood. My neck surgery and pulmonary embolism. All are times where I personally would have chosen for these not be a reality. Yet I have come to believe and understand that each circumstance and situation in my life is all ordained by God, and it is His plan, not mine. I was reminded that not only is it part of God’s plan, I have to do my part, by accepting His will. In all circumstances. Are we to give God thanks in all circumstances, even when they do not turn out as we desire? The answer is yes, of course.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I Thessalonians 5:18.

This is different from giving thanks to God for everything as in Ephesians 5:20. God wants us to be in continual thanksgiving for all of his blessings He pours out on us. This is a characteristic of a spirit filled, thankful heart. Yet in Thessalonians, we are called to give thanks, even when we are dissappointed by the outcome or situation.

We can find comfort, regardless of circumstances, in God’s promises in Romans 8.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

Romans 8:28-29

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

I know that regardless of what may happen here on this earth, nothing can separate me from the love of God. That is alot for us to wrap our brains around! And certainly reason to be thankful in all circumstances!