Gratitude

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

I recently read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. When she and her sister were imprisoned in a German work camp they even thanked God for the fleas! As it turned out, the fleas in their sleeping quarters gave them the freedom to share Christ with the other prisoners because the guards would not go in there.

Whatever God is up to in our current circumstances we know that it is for good, and it is God's will for our life, so today I am giving thanks for the Shingles even though I don't understand why I have to endure this suffering. There must be something good that is going to come from this experience.

Thank you God for this itchy red rash covering the left side my face. Amen

There is so much to be thankful for:

• Our cozy apartment
• The loving care of my husband
• Doctors and medicine
• Good food to eat
• Our cars that are in working condition
• Our three children
• This computer and the internet
• Our parents that love us unconditionally
• Our dog Tommy (who has no fleas!)
• Our church family that prays for us
• The unending love of God
• The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ

Romans 5:3-5

...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.