It’s been a hard week. Even saying that is grossly insufficient. Similar to the horrific flooding in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee (Hurricane Helene – 2024), it’s difficult to not follow the tragedy that continues to unfold in what is known as the hill country of Texas along the Guadalupe River. The flash flood that roared through in the early morning hours of July 4th has claimed the attention of the nation. It may sound trite and even a bit useless, but I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer… even when it seems that the enemy has won.
If you have social media, watch the news, or listen to the radio, you’ve probably heard about the all-girl’s Christian camp in Texas that has suffered extreme loss. Buildings can be rebuilt, debris and rubble can be processed and removed, but there has been so much more lost that can never be replaced or brought back. I’ve found myself hugging my 8-year-old daughter a little longer and a little tighter.
To all of the families and friends who are facing the long journey with grief as a close companion, you have my deepest sympathies, condolences, and continued prayers.
As many of you know, I have an affinity for praise and worship music. If I’m struggling through the day, I probably need to put on some praise and worship. It’s amazing to me how quickly it changes the atmosphere, my mood, and my general outlook on life. It’s a gentle reminder to me that I’m not alone and God is still good.
While following the heartache in Texas, every faith-based song I hear – praise and worship, too – I keep imagining the people who have lost so much singing them. We had a friend, years ago, who lost one of his adult sons in a fluke four-wheeling accident. This son left behind a wife and a couple young children. Our friend, with his faith firmly rooted, laboriously raised his hands in worship to God during his son’s celebration of life. That image has stuck with me.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NLT
These two passages seem to be running on loop in my mind. I’m pretty confident in stating that there are more than a few people out there that are not always joyful and not always with an expression of gratitude (me – I’m one of those people). What I find so very interesting with the I Thessalonians passage is that we’re not being told to give thanks for all circumstances, but rather we’re told to give thanks in all circumstances. The smallest word can change the meaning of an entire sentence, can’t it?
I’m not thankful for the multiple miscarriages that tore at my heart, I’m not thankful for sickness or disease, our friend wasn’t thankful for his son passing away, and we’re not thankful for deadly weather catastrophes. We’re not called to be thankful for those things, but anyone who belongs to God is called to do something entirely different. In those hardships, we’re called to be thankful. If we were to be thankful for all of the circumstances that we find ourselves in, we would be attributing the authorship to God.
God does not destroy homes, strike us with sickness or disease, and He doesn’t kill anyone. His character is infallible, He is love, He is just, and He is good. There is no judgment raining down on anyone. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus died for all sin for all time for all people (I John 2:2) – even those who would never accept Him. There is nothing more to pay. God would be unjust if He were to punish anyone for what Jesus already paid for. That is something to be grateful for in any circumstance that we may face.
That includes the circumstances that we walk into. There are unspeakable tragedies that occur every single day that we don’t necessarily see coming. A drunk driver takes the lives of an entire family… a flash flood that changes the trajectory of countless families… an illness that claims the life of a child… a fluke four-wheeler accident. But what about the times we walk into something? We walk into the valley of the shadow of death.
Notice in Psalm 23:4, it says even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me… God has plans that are good, not evil. His plans for His kiddos are good. He does not author the trouble we experience in this world, but He does walk with us through it. He’s close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). No matter if darkness finds us or if we willingly walk into darkness, God is with those who have accepted Him (Psalm 139:7-10).
We’re not thanking Him for the circumstances – the unspeakable heartaches, the darkness that seems to suffocate – but we’re to thank Him for never leaving our side while we’re in it. We’re to praise Him in the storm, take a firm hold of His promises, and rest in His comforting embrace.
In the darkest moments, let Him be your light. When you have more questions than answers, take heart that He has seen the final outcome. When your heartache feels too painful to bear, allow Him to wrap you in His comforting embrace. He is good, and He’s on your side. Someone once gave a wonderful explanation as to why we lift our hands when praising and worshipping God: just as a child raises their arms to their parent to communicate that they want to be held, we lift our hands to our Abba Father.
Whether you’re in good circumstances or circumstances that no one can fully understand the pain of, you’re not alone. I hope that the gift of God’s presence can become a revelation and that God’s kiddos will be known to give thanks in all circumstances. This is something I definitely need to work on in my own life – I know that it’s difficult to even consider. But He is with you, He loves you, and He understands so much more than we can fathom. Let’s praise Him in all circumstances.
Heavenly Father, there’s such a heaviness. I pray that Your presence and peace is palpable for all those grieving, all those who have yet to have answers, and for all those who are reliving the nightmare of what they’ve seen, heard and experienced. I pray that You would direct and keep safe all the first responders, the volunteers doing search and recovery, and the communities that are reaching out to their neighbors. Lord, I also thank You. I thank You for the gift of Your presence, the gift of Your grace and love, and the promise that You’ll never leave or forsake Your kiddos. Thank You for sending Jesus so that we can rest in Your love. It’s in His name I pray – Amen.