Blessings of Hardships

Corrie Ten Boom recounts her time in Ravensbruck concentration camp with her sister Betsie…

We lay back, struggling against the nausea that swept over us from the reeking straw.

..Suddenly I sat up, striking my head on the cross-slats above. Something had pinched my leg.

“‘Fleas!’ I cried. ’Betsie, the place is swarming with them!’ “‘Here! And here another one!’ I wailed. ‘Betsie, how can we live in such a place!’

“‘Show us. Show us how.’ It was said so matter of factly it took me a second to realize she was praying. More and more the distinction between prayer and the rest of life seemed to be vanishing for Betsie.

“‘Corrie!’ she said excitedly. ’He’s given us the answer! Before we asked, as He always does! In the Bible this morning. Where was it? Read that part again!’

“I glanced down the long dim aisle to make sure no guard was in sight, then drew the Bible from its pouch. ‘It was in First Thessalonians,’ I said. …

“In the feeble light I turned the pages. ‘Here it is: “Comfort the frightened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all…’”

It seemed written expressly to Ravensbruck.

“‘Go on,’ said Betsie. ‘That wasn’t all.’

“‘Oh yes:’…“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.’”

“‘That’s it, Corrie! That’s His answer. “Give thanks in all circumstances!” That’s what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!’ I stared at her; then around me at the dark, foul-aired room.

“‘Such as?’ I said.

“‘Such as being assigned here together.’

“I bit my lip. ‘Oh yes, Lord Jesus!’

“‘Such as what you’re holding in your hands.’ I looked down at the Bible.

“‘Yes! Thank You, dear Lord, that there was no inspection when we entered here! Thank You for all these women, here in this room, who will meet You in these pages.’

“‘Yes,’ said Betsie, ‘Thank You for the very crowding here. Since we’re packed so close, that many more will hear!’

She looked at me expectantly. ‘Corrie!’ she prodded.

“‘Oh, all right. Thank You for the jammed, crammed, stuffed, packed suffocating crowds.’

“‘Thank You,’ Betsie went on serenely, ‘for the fleas and for–’

“The fleas! This was too much. ‘Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.’

Purpose for His Instruction…

Washing up… hundreds of times (Old Testament)

Sex within Marriage only… we could eradicate venereal disease in one generation! (Hebrews 13)

Forgiveness / not being bitter… healthier and stronger physically, it rots the bones! (Jesus in the Gospels)

Not Worrying… lowers immune system, waste time, robs your life! (Luke 12)

Rest a Sabbath (Exodus)

Gratitude

AdventHealth posted an article on GRATITUDE:

— the practice of noticing and being thankful for what is valuable and meaningful to you. It’s good for your mental and physical health, it can help you relax and its effects can help you stay well through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Yes, We Said Gratitude Is Good for Your Health … The health benefits of practicing gratitude are wide-ranging — and maybe even a bit surprising.

Improving your immune system. The practice of gratitude can improve immune function, according to the American Heart Association. This is especially important during the COVID-19 crisis, since people with compromised immune systems face a high risk of becoming severely ill from coronavirus.

Lowering your risk for mental health issues. Studies have shown that people who practiced gratitude showed a significantly lower risk for major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and substance dependence and abuse, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

A Powerful Sentence

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is only one sentence yet it holds incredible implications and impact in the believers life…

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This is a very CLEAR, CONCISE, and CONVICTING sentence… notice the alliteration!

Let’s break this sentence down and allow it to impact our hearts and minds… (renew your thinking this morning)

Rejoice Always

We as the people of God, His children, the very Bride of Christ have of ALL people the greatest reasons to be and live joyfully!

JOY is a state of being… Always is a state of time, all times all occasions!

Pray Without Ceasing

Invite God to be a part of ALL things you are doing!!!!

This will make Rejoicing much easier too

Continuous activity… intentionally maintaining a fellowship and awareness of His involvement

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

Rejoicing and Praying deal with our time… Thanks focuses on our circumstances

Have you practiced thanking God for your circumstances?

Think about what you know… Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Not grateful for all things but in all things

Regardless the circumstance, be thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on us!

In our circumstances we have a new perspective… ETERNITY!!!!

What is your perspective?

Thank You God For:

Mask… great conversation starters to bring Christ into conversations and they offer a great opportunity to obey

Distancing… people’s need for relationship is brought to the forefront… introduce them to One who will never leave or forsake!

COVID-19… fear and death bring great opportunity to share our Hope and Peace

Politics… God has always been, is today, and always will be on the throne

For 2019… Prison ministry, greater understanding of forgiveness and grace, and a renewed relationship with my father… God’s Faithfulness!!!

For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Not just a good idea or some good advice… this is His will

God desires obedience from us

EVEN when we don’t understand!!!

ESPECIALLY when we don’t understand

HE WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU AND ME!

God’s will is to have His people joyful, involving Him and speaking with Him, and grateful!

“One evening I got back to the barracks late from a wood-gathering foray outside the walls. A light snow lay on the ground and it was hard to find the sticks and twigs with which a small stove was kept going in each room. Betsie was waiting for me, as always, so that we could wait through the food line together. Her eyes were twinkling.

“‘You’re looking extraordinarily pleased with yourself,’ I told her.

“‘You know, we’ve never understood why we had so much freedom in the big room,’ she said. ‘Well–I’ve found out.’

“That afternoon, she said, there’d been confusion in her knitting group about sock sizes and they’d asked the supervisor to come and settle it.

“But she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t step through the door and neither would the guards. And you know why?”

“Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice: ‘Because of the fleas! That’s what she said, “That place is crawling with fleas!’”

“My mind rushed back to our first hour in this place. I remembered Betsie’s bowed head, remembered her thanks to God for creatures I could see no use for.”

They had been sent by God for His protection so the scriptures could be read, the gospel shared without danger of the guards!

One last Time let’s state together that CLEAR CONCISE CONVICTING sentence together! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.