JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to give thanks to God in all circumstances.

These are the words of First Thessalonians 5:18-“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Not everything that happens to us is a good thing, but through the good, bad, and ugly circumstances of our lives, God is able to accomplish good things. If He used the cross in the redemptive plan of Jesus, then He can use our circumstances for redemptive purposes.

Earlier in life, a man named Joseph was badly treated by his brothers. He went to Egypt because of their bad treatment. But Joseph stayed close to God, and when his brothers needed his help many years later, Joseph treated them with forgiveness rather than revenge. Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” This story encourages us to see how God can overcome evil with good.

Take the Daily Challenge to give thanks to God in the present circumstances of our lives on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com