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Mornings With Jesus
Mornings With Jesus
In Everything Give Thanks: Discovering God's Goodness Despite Life's Challenges | Joshua Scott Zeitz
Gratitude transforms how we experience life's challenges. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, today's meditation explores the profound difference between being thankful FOR everything versus IN everything. This isn't semantic wordplay—it's a life-changing distinction that reshapes our entire approach to suffering.
God's goodness remains constant even when our circumstances don't. Every blessing originates from Him (James 1:17), which means He stands as our solution, not our problem. While scripture acknowledges that troubles inevitably come, the promises of scripture remind us we're never alone in them. Greater is He within us than any force against us. The righteous face many afflictions, yet divine deliverance remains assured.
The cross reveals Jesus' heart toward our suffering. He endured ultimate pain "for the joy set before Him"—and remarkably, that joy was us. This great exchange offers righteousness for our shame, peace for our turmoil, and hope for our despair. When darkness feels overwhelming, remember God isn't bringing death, curses, or trouble—He's your refuge from them. He stands as your ever-present help, your closest friend, your unshakable rock. The invitation remains simple yet profound: don't blame Him, claim Him. Run toward God rather than away when life gets difficult. In doing so, you'll discover the supernatural ability to give thanks in everything, reflecting the true will of God for your life.
Hello and welcome to Mornings with Jesus, your daily dose of encouragement. I am your host, joshua Scott Seitz. Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 5 and verse 18. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus. Concerning you, god is good and he is good all the time. God is good and he is good all the time. James 1.17 says that every good and every perfect gift comes from Him. Therefore, it is imperative that we know he is the blesser, he is the answer, he is our solution.
Speaker 0:Sure, there are bad things that happen to good people and in spite of these things, we can be thankful and praise him. Why? Because he is for us. John 16, 33 says in this world we will have trouble, but Jesus encourages us to take heart because he has overcome the world First. John 4, 4 says greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.
Speaker 0:Psalm 34.19 says Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all. In everything, not for everything, we can praise the Lord because he is good and he is good all the time. We can know that he has our backs. He is our loving heavenly father who desires to see us blessed, whole, healthy, prosperous, delivered, free and full of joy. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him. That joy was us. To bring us joy, not depression. It was the great exchange Our mess, our filthy rags for his robes of righteousness, our shame and guilt for his peace.
Speaker 0:Be encouraged today. No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, no matter how dark it seems or feels, jesus paid the ultimate price to give you hope and a future. That's awesome news. Therefore, in spite of whatever goes on in this crazy world and yes, it is a crazy world we can be thankful and full of life, ready to share with others the reason for our peace. His name is Jesus. No matter what happens, please know that God is for you. He's not against you. He isn't bringing about death or curses, or pain, or trouble or temptation. These things are of the world and of the wicked one. No, he is our ever-present help in time of trouble. He's a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He's our rock, our refuge, and under His wings we can trust In times of trouble, turmoil and temptation. Run to Him, not from Him. Don't blame Him, claim Him, he is your solution and in everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Remember what you make happen for others, god will make happen for you.
