The flight delays. The sick child. The front-row parking spot at the grocery store when you’re in a hurry. The catered lunch at the office when you didn’t have time to make lunch. The message at church that spoke directly to your need. The person who called and invited you to lunch. The unexpected extra 10 minutes in the car all by yourself. The song that came on the radio as you were driving frantically to your doctor’s appointment.

These are just a short list to summarize the long list of circumstances we encounter in any given day. God’s Word is clear and makes no mistakes. He says to give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Fortunately or unfortunately, all means all. We get to ask God for his eyes to see our circumstances and thank Him in all of them. Regardless of how we feel about our circumstances or the impact those circumstances are making on our lives, we get to thank Him for them. We have no idea how these circumstances are shaping us, protecting us or pointing us to Jesus. “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.

Start today. Start thanking the Lord for the very thing that’s keeping you from thanking Him. When we are aware of all of our circumstances and we bring Jesus into them (all of them), it allows us to have compassion which is critical for us so that we may be available for those who are hurt or suffering through the same situations. This extra focus can bring more compassion and unity to our HCS Family.

by: Kent Goble, HCS Vice Chairman