Joel M Bradshaw

 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.–1 Thessalonians 5

Sometimes life is confusing and you wish your relationships came with an instruction manual. I can sometimes be a bonehead and a jerk and need to ask my wife to forgive my selfishness. And usually it is my words that are the problem. So what I have learned to do is to ask Jen in a quieter moment what attitude and word choices of mine would have been received better by her. This gives her an opportunity to open up the instruction manual for me and me an opportunity to learn from my mistakes in a way that honors her.

Well in these three little verses God opens up his instruction manual. These are always to be you. They never go out of season and cannot be taken out of context.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. When it is missing, I recommend beginning with he verb form ‘to rejoice’. Responding with joy is a discipline that can be grown in your life which will result in joy. There is no situation where a joyful response that trusts in God is inappropriate.

Prayer is to be in all seasons and situations. You may not always be consciously praying with every breath, but you have no reason to STOP praying as if you have got things on your own. Think of it that way. Prayer trusts God and submits to his leading. Prayer is an implicit surrender to God’s will and not yours.

Thanksgiving must also be a part of your daily life. When you are thankful you are not grumbling or complaining. You are satisfied with what God has provided and not looking elsewhere. You are the sheep in Psalm 23 that has no reason anymore to ‘want’ for all needs are provided by God the Shepherd.

Rejoice, pray, and give thanks. God has opened his instruction manual for your relationship. This is to be always you.–JMB