Do you rejoice always? Do you give thanks in all circumstances?

The believers had a hard struggle. They suffered. They were publicly ridiculed and afflicted. They cared for others publicly shamed for their faith, which of course put them at risk for the same.

They had compassion for those in prison, taking care of their needs. The prisoners didn’t eat unless someone brought them food. Where we lived in Macedonia, it was still like that. Every day your family brought you food. But, if they were in prison for their faith, those caring for them were putting themselves at risk.

Then it says they joyfully accepted the plundering of their property. Accepting it is the first step. Why can we accept hard things happening?

If we believe God is in control, sovereign, then we believe that ultimately this was His choice for us. God’s ways are perfect. What has happened is God’s perfect choice for us. Can you thank God for His perfect choice? Can you thank God for doing things absolutely perfectly? Can you praise your God who is always and only good and loving?

You have a God. Rejoice. His ways are perfect. Give thanks.

You don’t have to understand His ways. You don’t have to understand the why of His choice. You may at some point get a bit of understanding, but God is doing a whole lot, caring for all of creation. It’s not just about you. And it’s certainly not just about your ease and comfort.

They rejoiced in their property being seized. They weren’t holding onto it. Their hopes weren’t tied up with it. They didn’t love it. They knew they had something better.

Do you live like all you need is Jesus?

God’s righteous ones live by faith. They trust Jesus. They aren’t looking to hold onto this world. They are looking to cling to Jesus. We need to endure, not shrink back.

We need to hold onto faith when things are hard. We do it by giving thanks and rejoicing, which we can always do because we have a God who has called us His own, and He is absolutely perfect and wise and good and loving. Always.