Guest Blogger: Sally Schreiber

Please welcome www.EverythingUnscripted.net’s second guest blogger, Sally Schreiber, who has bravely tackled one of the most difficult topics we can all relate to…whether Christian or not. She is a devout woman of faith with a beautiful heart and soul, as well as boundless empathy. She is also one of the strongest prayer warriors I’m privileged to know. They say we don’t get to choose family. I’m so happy that she’s part of mine. An aunt and friend for life.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I just visited with a close Christian friend whose dear 40-year-old daughter recently succumbed to a horrific two-year battle with cancer that had ravaged her body. Her illness and death caused her family a free fall physically, emotionally and spiritually.  This young, good, faithful and vibrant lady; one who had never experienced the love of a spouse, motherhood or fulfilling a dream profession, left more questions than answers. How could God allow this? How could countless diligent prayers for healing be left unanswered? 

We’ve all been there. Grief over lost loved ones, physical illness and challenges, injustices, failed expectations, financial struggles, unanswered prayers and unfulfilled dreams…that which has scattered and shattered our life on this earth. Considering the forementioned scripture that the Apostle Paul wrote, the three commands given for God’s will for us seem oxymorons in nature. How do we rejoice when things are not the way we had hoped or expected?  How do we pray continually when trials overwhelm us, consuming our thoughts and focus?  How do we give thanks in all circumstances when the difficult things in life leave us with little hope of improving?

“Rejoice always.” My brother-in-law Paul DeMoss, a Lutheran minister, wrote his doctoral dissertation on healing services in the Lutheran Church.  He had many physical trials, lived in pain most of his life and suffered the loss of a dear son and grandson. His faith in God was strong. One of his conclusions to God’s healing was ultimately trusting to “let God be God.” Because we live in this fallen sin-filled world, there is no aspect of life that is not affected. Things will happen that are with and without our control.  We rejoice because we know God is sovereign over all.  We rejoice because we have the greatest hope despite our circumstances.  Jesus bore every sin, disease, injustice and heartache upon the cross for us. There is no trial we will go through that He has not carried and died for us already. 

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) 

We rejoice because we know that this life, even with all its trials, is not all there is. 

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name.” (Hebrews 13:14-15)

Pray continually... We all see how our cell phones can take priority, even over conversations at a family gathering. Mesmerized by our little screens rather than meaningful dialog, forfeiting valuable conversations.  Prayer is the opposite. Prayer erupts from our hearts as part of our relationship with God. We pray acknowledging God for who He is and all that He has done. Prayer is a continual conversation with God where we tell Him our thoughts, desires, needs and requests, trusting and knowing that He hears us and will answer according to His will for our lives. Prayer is actively listening and allowing the Holy Spirit to place upon our hearts God’s desire and leading.  Prayer is a privilege to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16). Prayer is the confirmation of our relationship that no matter the circumstance, God “will never leave us or forsake us”. (Deuteronomy 3:16)

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Give thanks in all circumstances… My mother died when I was 4 years old. Her death, as well as subsequent emotional and mental circumstances, would leave an immense void in myself and my siblings’ lives. We can all look back and remember overwhelming trials and situations (or those that are occurring right now); those that have stricken us with such force that all felt (or feels) hopeless. No light at the end of the tunnel. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul is not saying to be thankful for all circumstances, rather, IN all circumstances. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

​Trusting God through our hardships and being obedient to His Word, He will lead us step by step into ways we could not otherwise imagine. We have to choose how our circumstances define us…do we become bitter and angry or to allow God to use them to accomplish His purpose in us? For myself and my siblings, God has and continues to bless us with the growing awareness of His Presence in our lives and in doing so increased our faith and those He has and continues to place in our paths…it has helped fill the void of the loss of our mother. 

For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. God has created us for fellowship and relationship with Him, not robots taking commands. Even though our relationship was broken by sin, God in His sovereignty and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, perfectly mended that relationship forever. His will for our lives are not meant as a burden, rather they are to lead us in doing what is best for us and honoring Him. We rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all things not because we have to, but because we love Him and want to, as He has so graciously loved us. 

This beautiful poem by Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust and concentration camp survivor, I believe so aptly portrays God’s wonderful love and will for us. To see that it’s often in the unseen and unanswered that we learn the most. That God’s will for us is to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all things…a blueprint of obedience allowing His best for us. 

My life is but a weaving between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow; And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper and I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas and reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.