eNews - 29th April 2022

This past week I was reading through 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and this verse stood out to me:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I was struck by the extreme language that Paul uses in this verse, rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. I was struck by this language because of late the idea of rejoicing and giving thanks have not been at the top of my list. As some of you know I have still been dealing with the ongoing affects of a concussion which I have had since January.

Although I haven't felt like rejoicing or giving thanks, I have been praying continually. Prayer has literally felt like the only thing I have been able to do in response to my concussion. I have prayerfully gotten on my knees and cried out to God. And through prayer and time in His word God has been shaping and challenging me to be more patient and to remember I'm not the one in control - He is. God has been teaching me to trust Him and not myself.

Over the past few months I've been re-learning the great privilege and blessing prayer actually is. To come before the God of the universe and hand him my burdens, my fears and anxieties has been deeply refreshing and liberating. Even though I still don't feel myself most days I can rejoice and give thanks to God because I know Him, because I am known by Him and the incredible fact that I can come to Him anytime with anything, and for that I truly am grateful.

So let me ask you what can I be praying for you?

Grace & peace,
Paul