1 Thessalonians 5:18 To Encourage The Sandwich Generation

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The Sandwich Generation does have its issues, no doubt about it! For that matter, the fact that many of us are aging members of the baby boomers generation gives us plenty of challenges as well, doesn’t it? In the midst of all of this, have you ever wondered, “what does the Bible mean – “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you?" (KJV)

I actually started wondering about that when I was a new Christian in my 20s. I used to pray over this passage and meditate on it a lot as a young Christian, wondering what God meant. I still remember sitting on my kitchen floor, sponge and Mop N Glo in one hand, and these verses, among others, in my other hand. I still meditate on the subject a lot, but now it’s more a thing of joy having seen God use it abundantly in my life. In fact, if you read my blog on Thursday, you are probably smiling with me. I actually started this post on Wednesday around 4 pm. That same day, around 7 pm, I managed to step off a curb, twist my ankle, and ended up with a 5th (fifth) metatarsal fracture (that’s about mid-way on the right side of my right foot).

As I related there, having been working on this blog post earlier helped me to put into practice choosing to praise God in spite of the pain and frustration of the situation! God also reminded me to use what happened to set a positive spiritual example for my grand-tween. All in all, as gloomy as this all looks, it was actually a blessing. It's not the first time God’s done that in my life, and I doubt it is the last, either.

Over the years, I’ve heard a few well-studied and well-meaning pastors make the comment in a sermon, "God doesn’t mean we are to praise Him for the situation. We are just to praise Him in the situation." I fully agree with praising Him IN it, but I believe He also wants us to praise Him for it. I’ve spent a lot of time reading, rereading, and researching:

• If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10
• Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. Ephesians 5:20
• And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

When you put all those together with "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, you realize that, if you love God and have received Christ Jesus as your Savior, you truly can praise God for all things and for allowing all things in your life. You can know that He loves you so much, know that He WILL work it together for your good, and KNOW that you can trust Him.

So yes, I have to admit, hobbling around on a broken foot at ¼ my normal speed would not be the first choice of this Sandwich Generation granny nanny. But I am trusting and believing that, for whatever reason, God has allowed it for a purpose and I will choose to praise Him in it AND for it.

And for those of you who have been wondering what does the Bible mean – “in everything give thanks, for this the will of God concerning you?" I hope and pray this has been a bit of a help and an encouragement to you. Have a blessed day! For more devotionals and Bible verses of encouragement for the Sandwich Generation, I invite you to join us for Spiritual Sunday.