“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
Every Thanksgiving since 1934, the Detroit Lions have played a football game on Thanksgiving. Their all-time record on Thanksgiving Day is 37-42-2, and they have lost on Thanksgiving the last four years. This year they play the Chicago Bears, which will be the 19th time the two teams have met up on Thanksgiving. The Lions enter the game dead last in the NFL with an 0-9-1 record; a tie two weeks ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers is their only non-loss.
Even though things seem bleak for the Lions, head coach Dan Campbell still has hope in his team, and isn’t ready to throw in the towel. After their tie, he said, “I’m just proud of the way they played … We were better than we were two weeks ago and we have to improve from it.”
Against all odds, Coach Campbell still has hope in his team. He believes his team can win and turn things around no matter how bad they may seem.
This is the same for us in our relationship with Jesus. No matter how dark or hopeless our circumstances may seem, we always have hope.
Paul tells us in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” From the beginning to the end, everything is in God’s control.
It’s because of this hope that we can always give thanks and worship. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
This gives us a joy and hope that cannot be taken away, despite any earthly circumstance. We can give thanks in all circumstances because of this promise. No matter what comes at us, our God will use it for good.
— Nik Pry
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