[Discoveries] 09-13-08 Giving thanks - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*... give thanks in all circumstances ... - 1 Thessalonians 5:18*/

I want to speak to those who are unhappy in their marriages.

Kim and I have been married for 30 years, and we have gone through 
seasons of unhappiness. There have been times when I really didn't know 
what drug induced me to say, "I do."

Jesus knows all about this, yet He says, "Give thanks."

Why would He ask us to do such a thing? Is He trying to wring some last 
bit of holiness out of us even when He knows we are miserable?

I don't think so. I think rather He is saying, "Yes, I know you are in 
the middle of a difficult time. But I want you to come up here, sit 
beside Me, and see things from My perspective for a while."

And what is God's perspective?

Eternity. God, who never wastes pain, sees an ocean of joy ahead, even 
when you are trudging through a desert of gloom. He has a plan for your 
spouse. And, more to the point, He has a plan for you.

God is God. Some days He dances with you. Some days He puts His arm 
around your shoulders. Some days He steps back and gives you space to 
sort things out by yourself. And some days He carries you. All of this 
is part of God's eternal plan to bring you fully into the experience of 
your identity as His son or daughter. You are loved, and He will spare 
no expense to enable you to experience that love -- all the way to the 
core of your soul.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

What happens when you partner with Dwight Clough Ministries? Victims of 
violent crimes and survivors of abuse are finding peace, wholeness, the 
power to forgive and the strength to set boundaries. Those ensnared by 
addictions are finding freedom. Marriages are being restored. Families 
are strengthened. Christian brothers and sisters in restricted lands who 
face persecution are finding strength and encouragement. Young believers 
are learning how to walk with the Lord, and people are coming into the 
faith for the first time. None of this happens as a result of one 
person's efforts, but rather this is God's work as He blesses the 
sacrifice of many people including yourself. We partner with you, with 
other ministries, and, most significantly, with the Lord. That's how the 
supernatural happens.

You may freely post, reprint or redistribute this devotional provided a 
reference or link back to _DwightClough.com_ 
<http://www.dwightclough.com> is included.

Discoveries Devotional -- Inspiration in Your Inbox is provided daily by
Dwight Clough Ministries, Inc.
1223 West Main Street #228
Sun Prairie, WI 53590 USA
Dwight Clough Ministries is supported by your donations.
Visit _www.DwightClough.com_ <http://www.dwightclough.com/A-support.php> 
for more information.

Change your subscription: 
_http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/discoveries_

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/discoveries/attachments/20080906/1bcbf36c/attachment.html>