Attitude towards life - I Thess 5:16-18

In concluding his letter to a young church, Paul gives three important perspective of the kind of attitude one should have towards this temporary, transient life.

Verse 16 says Rejoice evermore. The NIV reads, Be joyful always. I don't think Paul wants the believer to be jumping for joy even at a funeral. What he is saying is an attitude of the heart. This attitude is not circumstance centered but God centered. It is a continuous state of being joyful. It speaks of an attitude to the present situation. Whether I am going though a crisis or a mountain top experience I am joyful. The only way one can be joyful and that is when we put our trust in the Lord. Psalms 33:21 says: In him our hearts rejoices for we trust in his holy name. Hence for our present situation in life we can be joyful because our trust is in Him and that is all that matters. It was for this reason Job was able to say, The Lord gave and the Lord took, Blessed be the Name of the Lord - Job 1:21

Verse 17 tells us how our attitude should be for the future. Pray continually. Again Paul is emphasising the attitude of the heart. He is reminding the readers of our total dependence upon God for the future. I need His help and guidance for the path ahead. Heb 12:1-12 reminds us to run the race focusing our eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Pro 3:6 - in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

And in verse 18, Paul tells us what our the attitude of our heart should be for the past. Be thankful at all times for all what we have and what we have gone though. Jeremiah says "Great is thy faithfulness". The apostle Paul spoke of developing contentment in his own experience when he said, "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phi 4:11-13)

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