“How Lord?”

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances? Whoa, that's a tall order!

How do I rejoice always?

Conviction hits me and I feel God say, "just get started I'll show you!" As I focus on what's good in life negative thoughts drop away.

How do I pray continually?

God prompts,

"invite me into your rejoicing! When your heart can't find a way to rejoice talk to me. As you

pray remember I'm with you always- rejoice in that!"

How do I give thanks in all circumstances?

When I look for the good God is teaching me through the bad I can be thankful.

Personal Example:

In my early twenties, I worked at a small preschool. There were just two teachers on duty at any given time.

Regularly, I was paired up with one particular co-worker that was just plain mean for no apparent reason.

I'm ashamed to say I grew to hate her. I carried that hate for over a year. Daily I'd arrive home complaining about my co-worker and all the heartless things she'd done. Somewhere along the way the Holy Spirit got my attention. I became convicted to pray for my co-worker daily. Not long after I began these daily prayers my hate transformed into compassion.

Little did I know a big test was coming! One thing my co-worker hadn't yet done was yell at me. Months after I had began praying for my co-worker, she exploded into yelling directly at me in front of the children.

Her reason for the outburst was very petty and could have easily been resolved with a simple conversation.

Praying over those months helped me see my co-worker a little more like Jesus did. Even still, I was angry to the point my head felt it could explode. Quickly, I claimed my morning break. Walking in rage I called a family member to vent. Break time was just about over when I began walking back. Re-entering the room I genuinely apologize to my co-worker. Apologizing when I felt she was the one in the wrong was not in my nature. God helped me display His nature that day. My co-worker's once hateful attitude towards me diminished. We never became besties but that day I learned a few important lessons.

1. God gave me a soft answer and I saw how true Proverbs 15:1 is!

It says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

2. The Lord was beginning to teach me how to show mercy, be long-suffering, and forgiving.

Exodus 34:6 says, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..."

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

3. I learned that hate in my heart can be transformed to love as I bring another to God in prayer.

John 13:34 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."