“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Without going into a lot of detail, Patrina and I had a scare early this morning as she tripped and fell headlong. She said later that she “face-planted”, but in the moment things weren’t so light-hearted. For a few minutes, she was a bit disoriented and then fainted for a moment while we were walking toward the car.

It was in that brief thirty seconds or so that I was thankful for the comfort of knowing the Lord and having confidence He would see us through the circumstances. We prayed and then got her home for some ice and rest for most of the morning and as I write tonight, she’s a little bruised but doing well otherwise and we are both grateful for that outcome.

What if things had worked out differently? Let’s admit that sometimes trusting during hard times is difficult, but through our faith we know that we are called to release our anxieties and depend on God’s faithfulness.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

Over the last couple of years, we’ve watched as a friend facing dire circumstances took every opportunity to use her situation as an opportunity to tell others about Christ. More often than not, she was able to find peace in the chaos that surrounded her and find the blessings of sharing her faith with others through her own experience.

Recently, pastor John MacArthur passed from this life to the next, but before death, he spent several months in physical therapy. Even in the midst of his failing health, he was faithful to his call and since the pastor died, his physical therapist expressed faith in Christ and was baptized with thanks to the redeeming relationship established by Pastor John.

Let’s take the opportunities that arise in our chaos and turn them for the good in our lives and in the lives of others.