With the instruction “give thanks”, the apostle Paul is teaching us that this is the greatest demonstration of trust in his care.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

What an amazing thing feet are.

According to the Internet, each of them has 26 bones, which make up 33 joints, and are joined by more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Our feet can support several times the weight of our body, withstand heavy falls and impacts, and transmit all the strength of our legs without the slightest problem.

A normal person who walks a couple of hours a day in their daily activities, can walk on them between 80 and 120 km per month, and take about 150,000 steps.

Y eso sin contar que, al margen de ello, puedas dedicarte a correr o caminar un tiempo extra cada día.

That is why it is important to take care of them and wear comfortable and healthy shoes.

As I was saying, the feet are incredibly powerful.

The adversity

But a few days ago I was walking around the house barefoot when I suddenly stubbed my toes with a box.

And, Lord, how it hurt.

The foot still had all the bones, ligaments and muscles, but I was unable to take a step.

It is in situations like these that you look around you and look for the culprits to blame for your woes and vent your grumbling.

The problem, in my case, was that I was the one who had left the box there. So I couldn’t get it off my chest.

But when you sit down, and the pain goes away a little, you can think.

And then you realize the inappropriateness of such a reaction.

Because it is very easy, and common, to fall into the temptation of thinking that if something hurts us or goes wrong it is because the universe has conspired against us. Or that it is our enemy who is sowing tares against us. Or that they are raising storms in our lives.

Now, have you ever stopped to think about what it means for you to think this way?

To think that supposes recognizing that God does not have the capacity to protect us from the attacks of others, be they physical or spiritual beings, or from circumstances.

Looking for someone to blame for what happens to us means thinking that our life should be placid. And we forget that we are in a war. Spiritual, yes, but war.

And in war, life is anything but placid and calm.

Give thanks in everything

So, what should our attitude be? For God’s answer is found in the 1st epistle to the Thessalonians, chapter 5 and verse 18:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

When we surrender our life to Christ, when we accept Him as Lord and Savior, our life becomes His responsibility.

He is our shepherd, who leads us where we need to be, and he is our protector. God will not allow anything outside of His will to affect us.

So, if we walk in obedience to Him, nothing that happens to us will be beyond His control.

If we are aware of this, then the only correct response to the problems and adverse circumstances that befall us is to thank God for them.

Because if God allows something adverse in our lives, it is for our growth and strengthening. So that we can stand firm until the end.

So the next time you’re going to put a box down, or cross a street, or whatever else you do in your life, do it with caution and attention.

But if you nevertheless take a hit, thank God. For it is not the Universe that is rising up against you, but God is perfecting you for victory.

God bless you.

Cover phot by Erik Odiin on Unsplash