Not Your Best Day

Today not your best day? Having a few problems? The church in Thessalonica was under heavy persecution when Paul wrote: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NRSV). You would think he could have written something more comforting, something more compassionate to those suffering Christians. But as we know the apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering. He wasn’t telling them, or us, anything he hadn’t already told himself. Thank you, Lord, for always being there, for never abandoning your people.